Brian Kelly discusses the importance of this week for Garrett Nussmeier with Jayden Daniels injury

LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier may get a chance to start this week against Florida. Starter Jayden Daniels is considered “day-to-day” after entering the concussion protocol following a hard hit in Saturday’s loss to Alabama.

Nussmeier would likely receive his first career start in front of a home crowd if Daniels is unable to go. Tigers coach Brian Kelly addressed how the team is preparing him for that possibility as well as where the third-year QB is at in terms of being ready.

“I think every week has been important for him in terms of preparation,” Kelly said. “Certainly we’re gonna make sure that he is ready. There’s some things we’ve got to clean up and he knows it. I would say that he clearly recognizes that there’s some things he got to do better during practice. He’s up for it and I’m sure he’s excited about it.”

Nussmeier gained some valuable experience toward the end of last season as he played the entire second half of the SEC Championship game as well as in the Citrus Bowl against Purdue. He was impressive in the SEC title game against Georgia to finish with 294 yards passing, four touchdowns and an interception. So far this season, he has managed to go 17-of-33 for 196 yards and a TD while backing up Daniels.

That includes 5-of-10 passing for 55 yards last week after Daniels left the game.

Still, replacing a player like Daniels is no easy task. The quarterback has not only been a force through the air this season with 2,792 yards passing and 27 touchdowns to four interception, but also has 684 yards rushing and six more scores on the ground. That has enabled LSU to rank third in the country with 45.2 points per game.

There’s still a possibility that Daniels can give it a go, and Kelly said the Tigers are “hopeful” that will be the case. However, LSU is still preparing for the possibility that it will have to roll with Garrett Nussmeier.

“We’ll take Jayden’s situation day by day,” Kelly said. “We’re hopeful that things continue to move in the right direction, but you always have to prepare yourself for the eventuality of both quarterbacks playing and we’ll continue to do that.

“Garrett really knows there’s some things that he’s gotta work on during the week. I think it will just be a lot more of a focused, working situation for him in that he’s one snap away from getting in the game.”

Kickoff between LSU and Florida is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday in Baton Rouge.