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• Arkansas escapes Louisiana-Monroe, 28-27
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When it comes to recognizing the best of the best and separating the stars from mere standouts, the coaches make their picks and the media weigh in, too.

But how did things look through the eyes of LSU players.

With all due respect to the All-SEC teams selected, it was interesting to hear what names were named while others were curiously missing.

So, starting with LSU senior cornerback Chevis Jackson, who were the top opponents he faced?

“The best wide receiver? Early Doucet,” Jackson said, throwing out props for his teammate. “At quarterback, JaMarcus (Russell) showed an arm like no other. Last year, you had (Chris) Leak.

“(Andre) Woodson this year and (Erik) Ainge. There are a bunch of quarterbacks that could really play.’’

Indeed, including that guy at Florida who won the Heisman Trophy. Perhaps Tim Tebow slipped Jackson’s mind.

Senior safety Craig Steltz didn’t mention Tebow, either, after being asked to name the toughest quarterback to read and top open-field runner.

“At quarterback, Woodson from Kentucky did a great job of disguising what they did and checking at the line,” Steltz said. “We had to stay back and disguise what we did.”

As for the runner, Steltz named a runner without hesitation.

“(Darren) McFadden,” he said. “They use him great in that Wild Hog scheme. We had trouble stopping that.”

LSU senior linebacker Ali Highsmith agreed with Steltz’s assessment when asked to name the top running back.

“Darren McFadden,” Highsmith said. “He’s fast and he hits the hole. Next to him, I’d say (Ole Miss’) BenJarvus (Green-Ellis).”

Tigers’ senior defensive end Kirston Pittman said Auburn had the best offensive line he faced last season.

“They were the most physical offensive line we went against all year,” Pittman said. “They really set a pace and set a tone.”

Auburn’s defense left an impression with LSU running back Jacob Hester, too, though a freshman from Florida came to mind first when Hester was asked to name the hardest hitter.

“Major Wright from Florida, and (Brandon) Spikes from Florida,” Hester said. “Quinton Groves from Auburn is hard to stop. That guy is a freak.”

LSU offensive tackle Ciron Black said Groves wasn’t any easier to block when asked who his toughest assignment proved to be.

“Quinton Groves from Auburn,” Black said. “Last year, it was Jarvis Moss from Florida.”

LSU center Brett Helms said one of the reasons the Tigers had trouble turning back the Tide was Alabama’s Wallace Gilberry.

“Gilberry of Alabama is a very good player,” Helms said, asked which defensive tackle provided the biggest challenge. “He’s very quick off the ball.”

Tigers’ senior receiver Early Doucet said the best cornerback he faced was Virginia Tech’s Brandon Flowers this season.

“My freshman year it was Carlos Rogers and Auburn,” Doucet. “I also remember David Irons from Auburn was good, too, and then there was Jason Allen at Tennessee.”

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.