LSU Football: Jordan Jefferson Should Supplant Jarrett Lee as Starting QB

One of the greatest redemption stories of the 2011 season was that of LSU's Jarrett Lee. 

As a redshirt freshman in 2008, Lee was forced to play before he was ready after Ryan Perrilloux was kicked off the team. He was a turnover machine, throwing seven interceptions that were returned for touchdowns before being replaced by true freshman Jordan Jefferson.

Three years later, history repeated itself on the biggest of stages.

After Jefferson was suspended for the first four games, the fifth-year senior Lee took command of the offense, going five straight games without an interception, leading the Tigers to an 8-0 start and the top ranking in the polls. Jefferson returned in October in a reduced role, as a change-of-pace and goal-line quarterback.

Lee's final straw in 2008 had come against Alabama, as he threw an interception in overtime, all but sealing a victory for the Crimson Tide. He exacted a bit of revenge last season against the Tide, coming off the bench for an injured Jefferson to spark an upset in Baton Rouge.

On Saturday night, Lee's past demons returned.

He threw an early interception at midfield, but Alabama failed to score. Jefferson played most of the second quarter, but Lee returned in the third, throwing a second interception, which was returned inside the 10-yard line, only to be called back for an illegal block.

The Tide took a 6-3 lead shortly thereafter, and Lee's night was done, as Jefferson rallied the Tigers for an overtime win.

Going forward, this has to be Jefferson's team. His arm will never be confused for Andrew Luck's, but LSU's defense is so good that the offense simply has to not lose games.

Had Alabama converted more than two of its six field goal attempts or been able to find the end zone after getting the ball in LSU territory, Lee would have had to shoulder the load for a defeat.

Jefferson ran the speed option masterfully in Tuscaloosa, pitching the ball both accurately and timely. While Spencer Ware is at his best running between the tackles (the "dirty yards", as Gary Danielson referred to them as), Michael Ford is better on the outside, and the option game allows for the Tigers to best utilize Ford.

The Tigers will cruise past Western Kentucky and Ole Miss, but old nemesis Arkansas comes to Baton Rouge the day after Thanksgiving. It was only four years ago that LSU's national title hopes appeared to end in a similar situation.

The Razorbacks won't be kept out of the end zone like Alabama was, so LSU can't afford to put its defense in situations like it was in after Lee's interceptions.

Lee's story may not have a fairy-tale ending, but Jefferson is writing his own redemption story after his season was in doubt just two months ago. The senior who grew up just 20 miles from the Superdome is now just four wins away from capping an up-and-down career in his hometown playing for the national title.