Flynn a game-time decision

ATLANTA - LSU quarterback Matt Flynn will be a game-time decision for today’s SEC championship game.

Flynn, who suffered an injured right (throwing) shoulder in last week’s loss to Arkansas, threw several short passes during the Tigers’ walk-through practice Friday afternoon in the Georgia Dome.

During a press conference Friday afternoon, LSU coach Les Miles said Flynn will be evaluated during pregame warm-ups for today’s game before the decision is made.

“We don’t want a tender quarterback that’s trying to get a ball there,” Miles said. “We want to be able to sling it. We want to be able to have some strength on the throw, and if he has that, we’ll go forward.”

If he doesn’t, the Tigers will turn to backup Ryan Perrilloux.

The sophomore is 31-for-45 with 451 yards, one interception and seven touchdowns in 10 games this season.

He did not play last week against Arkansas and was suspended against Alabama on Nov. 3.

He has thrown just four passes since that suspension, all against Louisiana Tech.

“I can only tell you if he takes snaps for us, he’ll be doing the things that he can do, both run and pass,” Miles said of Perrilloux. “I’m certainly not going to be doing anything but anticipating him doing the things that he’s capable of doing.

“As long as he doesn’t try to do too much, I suspect that he’ll do fine for us, if Matt’s not playing.”

The two quarterbacks have similar styles and both are threats to run the ball.

Flynn has 207 yards rushing and four touchdowns, while Perrilloux has 189 yards rushing and two TDs.

UT coach Phillip Fulmer said the Vols spent time preparing for both quarterbacks.

“Flynn is a very capable quarterback as a runner as well. Perrilloux is a little bit faster, but both of them have the same kind of qualities,” Fulmer said. “He’s (Flynn’s) a starter for a reason, and I’m sure Flynn’s going to play if he can.

“But that’s not my concern. My concern is our preparation and our focus and worrying about the things we need to do to win the football game.”

Rumor Mill: Miles spent much of his 30-minute press conference Friday afternoon answering questions about the Michigan job, for which Miles is a candidate.

Miles said he has not been contacted nor has he contacted the Wolverines. However, LSU athletic director Skip Bertman granted Michigan permission to speak with Miles after Saturday’s game.

Miles downplayed the speculation as any kind of distraction during the week — both for his players and himself.

“I’ve probably spent 15 minutes allowing a personal thought along those lines,” Miles said. “And I’ve worked toward this championship fully. It will affect me if it affects this team. That’s a fact.”

Taking Lumps: Since UT’s season opener at Cal, UT quarterback Erik Ainge hasn’t absorbed a whole lot of hits.

He’s been sacked three times, and one of those was an intentional grounding penalty last week at Kentucky.

Some hits are worse than others, says Ainge.

“Getting hit, if guys are running at you — like Cal. When (linebacker Zack Follett) hit me running full speed and they blew it up and put it in Sports Illustrated, those aren’t the bad ones,” he said. “The bad ones are when someone gets you and holds you and takes you to the ground. Then their 300 pounds can pop a shoulder out.”

UT has allowed just four sacks, the best total in the country. LSU’s 32 sacks rank second in the SEC.

Tiny Trindon: Despite the fact LSU’s Trindon Holliday is only 5-foot-6 and 160 pounds, he could have a much bigger impact on the game.

Just a sophomore, Holliday is the fastest Tiger ever, running a 10.02-second 100-meter dash.

That’s not lost on UT linebacker Jerod Mayo.

“He’s a speedster,” Mayo said. “He has Olympic-caliber speed.”

Fulmer put it a different way.

“He’s a blur,” Fulmer said. “He’s an absolute blur on the field.”

Injury Report: Miles said linebacker Darry Beckwith (knee) will play, as will Holliday (ankle).

He also said All-American defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (back spasms) is “probably fresher than he’s been in quite some time.”

Drew Edwards covers University of Tennessee football. He may be reached at 865-342-6274.