By STEVE BATTERSON

Courier Lee News Service

ORLANDO, Fla.

Devising a game plan to deal with 11th-ranked Iowa isn't the only thing that has kept Louisiana State coach Nick Saban busy this week.

He's worked hard at making certain that his 12th-rated Tigers are keeping their thoughts on football and the challenge of Saturday's Capital One Bowl game.

When the game kicks off at noon at the Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium, Saban does not want his team thinking about his departure on Monday for the Miami Dolphins or even about who will become the Tigers' new coach.

"This game is for the players," Saban said. "I'd be very disappointed if our players didn't approach it that way. They have so much to play for — they can finish as a top 10 team, win 10 games two years in a row, win 23 games in two years. There are a lot of reasons for us to be ready to play this game and none of them have anything to do with me.

"I want to see them do well in this game because of what they've done. They have a chance to do some things that pretty unique at our school."

Still, LSU players expect some mixed emotions in the match-up between a pair of young 9-2 teams which have been led throughout the year by stout defenses and developing offenses.

"You can never go through this process and not be emotional," Tigers all-American defensive end Marcus Spears said.

"We have to keep those emotions out of the game, though. We can't try too hard or try to do too much or get caught up in worrying about what's going to happen next. If we do, we'll get it handed to us because Iowa is a good football team."

Like the Tigers, the Hawkeyes rebounded from a shaky start to the season to dominate late. Iowa won its final seven games to earn a piece of the Big Ten title, while LSU has won six straight games.

Hawkeye coach Kirk Ferentz is uncertain how Saban's announced departure will impact the Tigers.

"I just don't know how that will impact things," Ferentz said. "It's probably an individual thing for a lot of players. We're expecting their best shot. They're an excellent football team that knows how to win.

"We've looked and looked and looked to find a weakness in what they do, and there isn't much there to build a plan around. You can see why they've won the games they've won over the past couple of years."

Iowa quarterback Drew Tate said the Hawkeyes aren't concerning themselves with what might be running through the Tigers' heads this week.

"Our thoughts are all on doing what we need to do," the all-Big Ten sophomore said. "We're going to have to play at a pretty high level against them. They're the best overall defense we've seen and our margin for error is pretty slim in this game."

That has led to a solid week of preparation, Ferentz said.

"The team has done a good job of focusing on football and what we need to do when we've been on the practice field," he said. "Overall, I've been pleased with our approach."

Although LSU has just five senior starters, Saban has seen a mature approach from the Tigers in their preparations for Iowa in the first-ever match-up between the schools.

"I'm pleased with the way our players have stuck to the task at hand," he said. "Bowl games are a reward for players for the success they've had during the season and we're doing everything we can to give them the best opportunity to win. They've handled the situation well."

Iowa defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux believes that the little things will determine which team earns a top 10 national ranking and the right to carry an ongoing winning streak into the 2005 season.

"One play, one way or the other, can be huge in these types of games," Babineaux said. "You look at both teams, we're pretty similar. Both of us have good defenses and it's probably going to come down to who shows up ready to shut the other team down."

While Tate has thrown for 2,499 yards to supplement a running game that has been slowed by injuries this season, the Tigers have found success on the ground.

Quarterback Marcus Randall is among four backs who have carried at least 70 times this season for Louisiana State. Alley Broussard, Joseph Addai and Justin Vincent have combined for 1,733 of the 2,208 yards that the Tigers have rushed for this year.

Randall, a fifth-year senior, and redshirt freshman back-up JaMarcus Russell have led a passing attack that has covered 2,193 yards.

"We've been balanced all year and that's the way we'll have to be against Iowa. We have to keep their defense honest," LSU receiver Dwayne Bowe said. "And, we have to be ready to play.

"There's been a lot of stuff out there going around (with the coaching situation) and we can't let that get to us. We have to be ready to play our game. That's what is going to decide it — how well we do on the field — but that's the way it's supposed to be."

Steve Batterson can be contacted at (563) 383-2290 or sbatterson@qctimes.com