[Tuck4Bama]

BATON ROUGE -- The Tigers have heaped praise on Virginia Tech players this week, but one Hokie constantly referred to is redshirt sophomore tight end Sam Wheeler.

Against East Carolina on Saturday, Wheeler caught seven passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. The problem is figuring out when Wheeler is going out, because Virginia Tech often employs him as a receiver in what would appear to be non-passing situations, said LSU linebacker Darry Beckwith.

"He's very quick getting off the line of scrimmage, and we've got to get a linebacker on him, get a major body on him, so the safeties won't have to bite on him," Beckwith said. "We've got to keep an eye on him, because he's one of their big-game guys on offense."

LSU defenders say Virginia Tech quarterback Sean Glennon has the arm to hit a breath mint at 30 yards if he's given time. Therefore, the LSU game plan is to get to him early and often, hoping he will replicate something like the meltdown he experienced during last year's Chick-fil-A Bowl.

The other main offensive threat is running back Branden Ore. In Virginia Tech's opener, Ore appeared to have trouble getting free past the tackles, and Beckwith said controlling the middle will be key.

Tigers hold key to beating Hokies