LSU Bowl Projections

Now that we're nearing the end of the season (only two games left for the Tigers, can you believe it?), fans can start dreaming about their postseason vacations. With Texas A&M's victory over #1 Alabama, LSU's bowl picture has cleared up and become more cloudy all at the same time.

LSU will be going to a top-tiered bowl this year, but exactly which one remains to be seen. LSU's best hopes of securing a BCS berth is to cheer on Florida State when they take on Florida at the end of the season. If LSU can get into the top 4 of the BCS, they are guaranteed a bid, and a likely bid to a new BCS spot - either in Arizona or southern California. Tiger fans will like the sound of that much more than another trip to Jerry's World in Dallas (especially since the Tigers play their again to open next season). 

While the Cotton is probably the most likely scenario, especially with Texas A&M being such a hot commodity after their upset over 'Bama, that top 4 finish assures the Tigers of landing in the BCS and not having a bowl take the lower-ranked Aggies over LSU. If LSU is outside of the top 4, LSU is still an attracted at-large team for BCS bowls, but only if there's no second SEC team in the top 4. Then LSU would be in competition with the loser of Alabama/Georgia SEC title game, Florida, South Carolina or Texas A&M for the BCS at-large spot in either the Fiesta or Rose Bowl. 

Here's a look at where some "experts" have the Tigers playing in January:

ESPN: 

- Cotton (Dallas, Texas)

- Fiesta (Glendale, Az.)

Sports Illustrated: 

- Cotton (Dallas)

College Football News: 

- Cotton (Dallas)

CBS Sports: 

- Fiesta (Glandale)

SB Nation: 

- Outback (Tampa, Fla.)

Kicking us while we're down

Heartbreaking ... Sting ... Agonizing ... Hurt ... Stomach Punch ... Unbelievable ... Finality. Whatever word you want to use to describe the feelings after the Saints last minute loss to the 49ers, none of them sound good to Saints fans. Then, to make matters worse, the Giants destroyed the Packers the next day in a game that would have set up the NFC Championship in New Orleans. Talk about adding insult to injury.

What a week it has been for Louisiana football fans. First LSU no-shows the BCS National Championship game, then the Saints fight back from one of their worse performances with 5 turnovers only to lose with 9 seconds left, and lastly, news broke last night that LSU commitment and #1 QB in the country Gunner Kiel was taking his talents to Notre Dame. Anyone else want to kick us while we're down?

Back to the Saints game. I've never had a loss linger with me for days afterward like this one has. Honestly, it does hurt. This team was posed to do something special and everything was lining up for them, only to have it snatch away, not once but twice. After the Saints defense played admirable for 3 1/2 quarters, their coverage disappeared and Alex Smith and Vernon Davis took over and put the Saints away.

Sure Drew Brees and company wouldn't go down quietly. First Darren Sproles grabbed the lead only to see Alex Smith run untouched for a touchdown minutes later. Then Jimmy Graham went beastmode and seemed to have put the Saints in the NFC Championship. But then the curse of Gregg Williams struck. The curse of putting safeties in single coverage on tight ends bit the Saints defense and a couple of plays later and Vernon Davis is crying on the sidelines. You have to give credit to both Smith and Davis for excellent throws and catches, but the Saints could have put themselves in better position to stop those plays.

With a minute and a half left in the game, the goal is to let the clock run. Keep everything in front of you and tackle in bounds. Sounds hard? Not really. But the Saints stuck by what they did all year and played man on Davis and he burned them for a long gain. When they finally went zone in the red zone (with everyone thinking the 49ers would play for OT), Davis and Smith stuck the dagger in Saints fans hearts and the dream was over.

Looking back, this was an amazing season, but it will always be remembered for what could have been. Could this have been the Saints last chance to get to the promise land? As long as Brees and Coach Payton are around, this team will compete, but they could lose a lot this offseason. They already are losing Gregg Williams, but not many fans will see that as a big loss. Williams changed the defensive culture in New Orleans, but it is a good time for a change.

There are some big decisions to be made this offseason. The core of this team is in place, but with free agents like Drew Brees, Marques Colston, Carl Nicks, Tracy Porter and Robert Meachem, there are some tough decisions to be made. Brees, Colston and Nicks will be priorities, but it will be tough to keep them all. Brees isn't going anywhere, so it will depend how fast his deal gets done and what money is left for the rest of the free agents. I'd like to see both Colston and Nicks stay, but if I had to guess, I'd imagine Nicks has played his last game in the black and gold. They already invested a lot of money in Jahri Evans and do you need big money tied up in your two guards. Nicks may be the better of the two, but it's easier to replace a guard than some of the other positions.

This will be a long offseason, but an important one. The Saints don't have a 1st round pick thanks to the Mark Ingram trade, so free agency is that much more important. With Brees now 33, the window of opportunity will be closing soon, so the team needs to reload and get right back to work to make another Super Bowl run. It will be hard, but fans need to forget the "what could have been" season and get ready for next year. The Super Bowl is in New Orleans, so the Saints will have even more motivation to become the first home team in the big game.

The Rematch

It's game day for the rematch apparently nobody wanted, except Alabama. To be sure, the second LSU-Alabama game will be more exciting than the first for most of the country. Around the country, fans want to see touchdowns, but in the South, fans like football and the first LSU-Alabama game was old school football. So what's in store for the BCS title game?

I, like most, see more points being scored but I also don't see it being as close of a game as last time. I think one team will pull away and we won't get a dramatic ending. I think there's a major factor to the game that has been talked about, but not enough. The home "dome" advantage has been written off quickly and Alabama actually is coming into the game as a 1-point favorite.

The Superdome is LSU country. It's LSU's second home and they've won a lot of big games there recently -- both BCS title games (against Oklahoma and Ohio State) and Sugar Bowls (Illinois and Notre Dame), not to mention the epic matchups with rival Tulane ... well maybe not, at least playing at Tulane gives them more experience in the dome. That's gives the Tigers the edge and Les will pull out the victory against his arch rival Nick Saban.

Prediction:

Alabama 16

LSU 27

SEC Champs!

It wasn't the prettiest first half, but thanks to the Honey Badger and LSU playing like LSU in the second half, the Tigers solidified their place as the #1 team in the country with its 42-10 win over Georgia in the SEC Championship. Now the speculation begins about who the Tigers will play for the BCS title in New Orleans. Will it be a rematch with Alabama or a date with Les Miles' former team, Oklahoma State, who destroyed Oklahoma in their last shot to impress voters.

It will be interesting either way, and we'll have one fan base upset with either outcome ... college football, you gotta love it.

In either scenario, it's hard to envision LSU losing in the Superdome. I think Alabama will be a tougher contest, just looking back at the 9-6 nail bitter earlier this year. But I'd stil

l give the edge to LSU in that game. Against OSU, LSU would be more heavily favored, but it seems to be the game most fans and media are hoping for. There's also the case that if Alabama would beat LSU, there might be a split champion since LSU has such an impressive resume and beat 'Bama on their home turf. No one really wants that, so LSU would just have to take care of business.

Someone on Twitter said the Honey Badger, Tyrann Mathieu, should pick the #2 for LSU to face. Since he takes what he wants anyway, he just might be the ultimate voice in this typical, crazy year for the BCS. He already decides where the goal line is, why not choose LSU's next opponent?

12-0

The Game of the Century

What more can be said about college football's most hyped game? #1 vs. #2, two storied SEC powers battling, the Nick Saban Bowl, etc. When LSU plays Alabama Saturday night, the biggest question is will the game live up to all the hype?

I'm saying nope. I think LSU walks away with this one in impressive fashion. Yes, I respect and appreciate everything Alabama has done this year, but I see LSU as the better team. LSU is more road tested and will relish the opportunity to play in front of 100,000+ fans in Alabama. This isn't the first time LSU has felt the pressure of playing a top 5 foe this year. Alabama has had a much easier road so far this year, and this will be the game that it comes back to haunt them.

Prediction:
LSU 41
Alabama 17

LSU at Mississippi State

Tonight on Thursday night football, LSU takes on the Mississippi State Bulldogs, who are coming off a tough loss at Auburn. After LSU's opening win against Oregon, they had a cake walk last week against Northwestern State.

The short week will be tough for both teams, but LSU is more rested and is the better team.

Prediction: LSU 34 Miss St. 20

LSU Unveils Pro Combat Uniforms

So what do you think?

Here's the official unveiling article on LSUSports.net. And here's UniWatch's take on all the Pro Combat uniforms released this year.

LSU vs. Northwestern St. Prediction

Not much of a game here. LSU will get some playing time for lots of backups and newcomers. Fans should be excited to see Zach Mettenberger in the second half and be on the lookout for LSU alum Shaquille O'Neal roaming Tiger Stadium.

Prediction:
LSU 48
Northwestern St. 0

LSU Helps Former NFL Players Transition to Life Off the Field

This summer, more than a dozen former NFL players attended "Personal Branding for Athletes" at LSU. The program is put on by LSU Executive Education, in partnership with NFL Alumni. Check out the story at LSU.edu.

LSU Moves up to 2nd in AP Poll, Stays 3rd in Coaches

The AP Top 25

Record Pts Previous
1. Oklahoma (32) 1-0 1,4481
2. LSU (17) 1-0 1,415 4
3. Alabama (9) 1-0 1,409 2
4. Boise St. (2) 1-0 1,310 5
5. Florida St. 1-0 1,196 6
6. Stanford 1-0 1,154 7
7. Texas A&M 1-0 1,033 8
8. Wisconsin 1-0 1,031 11
9. Oklahoma St. 1-0 981 9
10. Nebraska 1-0 947 10
11. Virginia Tech 1-0 906 13
12. South Carolina 1-0 843 12
13. Oregon 0-1 828 3
14. Arkansas 1-0 752 15
15. Ohio St. 1-0 606 18
16. Mississippi St. 1-0 594 20
17. Michigan St. 1-0 530 17
18. Florida 1-0 382 22
19. West Virginia 1-0 357 24
20. Baylor 1-0 284 NR
21. Missouri 1-0 242 21
22. South Florida 1-0 221 NR
23. Penn St. 1-0 147 NR
24. Texas 1-0 135 NR
25. TCU 0-1 130 14

Others receiving votes: Arizona St. 119, Auburn 85, Southern Cal 69, Georgia 52, Northwestern 40, Maryland 34, BYU 33, Iowa 29, Houston 27, Utah 24, Notre Dame 22, Michigan 17, Air Force 11, Pittsburgh 11, UCF 10, NC State 8, Hawaii 6, Tennessee 6, Arizona 5, N. Illinois 5, Southern Miss. 4, Clemson 1, Georgia Tech 1.

USA Today Coaches Poll
Sept. 6, 2011

Rank, Team (first-place votes), Record, Points, Last week's poll
1, Oklahoma (43), 1-0, 1,454, 1
2, Alabama (9), 1-0, 1,412, 2
3, LSU (7), 1-0, 1,366, 4
4, Florida State, 1-0, 1,198, 5
5, Boise State, 1-0, 1,197, 7
6, Stanford, 1-0, 1,180, 6
7, Oklahoma State, 1-0, 1,038, 8
8, Texas A&M, 1-0, 997, 9
9, Wisconsin, 1-0, 988, 10
10, Nebraska, 1-0, 910, 11
11, Virginia Tech, 1-0, 863, 13
12, South Carolina, 1-0, 827, 12
13, Arkansas, 1-0, 786, 14
14, Oregon, 0-1, 752, 3
15, Ohio State, 1-0, 686, 16
16, Michigan State, 1-0, 584, 17
17, Mississippi State, 1-0, 497, 20
18, Florida, 1-0, 375, 23
19, Missouri, 1-0, 309, 21
20, Penn State, 1-0, 247, 25
21, Texas, 1-0, 231, 24
22, Auburn, 1-0, 197, 19
23, Arizona State, 1-0, 189, NR
24, West Virginia, 1-0, 185, NR
25, TCU, 0-1, 140, 15

Dropped out
No. 18 Notre Dame (0-1, lost to South Florida 23-20), No. 22 Georgia (0-1, lost to then-No. 7 Boise State 35-21).

Others receiving votes
Baylor 117; South Florida 97; Iowa 44; Utah 42; Georgia 35; Houston 31; Northwestern 30; Arizona 28; Central Florida 18; Hawaii 17; Michigan 15;North Carolina 15; Clemson 13; Northern Illinois 13; Southern Mississippi 12; Air Force 10; Notre Dame 8; Tennessee 5; Brigham Young 4; Maryland 4; Georgia Tech 3; Washington 3; California 1; Cincinnati 1; Texas Tech 1.

LSU vs. Oregon Prediction

The LSU-Oregon game could be called the "Distractions Bowl" with both teams having faced off the field issues over the summer, but all that can be put behind them with a win this weekend. Both teams have national championship hopes with LSU being ranked #4 and Oregon ranked #3. A win on Saturday could propel either team for a special year.

LSU will be starting senior QB Jarrett Lee after Jordan Jefferson was suspended. Lee can sling it, but mistakes have proven costly in the past. If he can take care of the ball and rely on his talented running game, the LSU offense should be fine. On defense, LSU will have to deal with Oregon's fast-paced offense and the new faces stepping into more prominent roles don't get a cupcake game to get acclimated to the new season.

Les Miles is an x-factor in every game he coaches. He has the ability to get his players up for big games and his teams perform for the stage they are playing on and the college football world will be watching this game. Give Miles weeks to prepare for an opponent (just look at his bowl record at LSU), and he has his team ready to play. He's been preparing for Oregon all offseason, so LSU will come ready to play, despite the off-the-field distractions.

Prediction:
LSU 23
Oregon 13

LSU is ranked 4th in Preseason Coaches Poll

Aug. 4, 2011 - preseason poll
Rank	Team (first-place votes)	2010 record	Points	Final 2010 ranking
1.	Oklahoma (42)	12-2	1,454	6
2.	Alabama (13)	10-3	1,414	11
3.	Oregon (2)	12-1	1,309	3
4.	LSU (2)	11-2	1,296	8t
5.	Florida State	10-4	1,116	16
6.	Stanford	12-1	1,101	4
7.	Boise State	12-1	1,065	7
8.	Oklahoma State	11-2	933	10
9.	Texas A&M	9-4	885	21
10.	Wisconsin	11-2	829	8t
11.	Nebraska	10-4	814	19
12.	South Carolina	9-5	779	22
13.	Virginia Tech	11-3	767	15
14.	Arkansas	10-3	750	12
15.	TCU	13-0	687	2
16.	Ohio State	12-1	631	5
17.	Michigan State	11-2	536	14
18.	Notre Dame	8-5	440	NR
19.	Auburn	14-0	329	1
20.	Mississippi State	9-4	301	17
21.	Missouri	10-3	266	18
22.	Georgia	6-7	260	NR
23.	Florida	8-5	240	NR
24.	Texas	5-7	162	NR
25.	Penn State	7-6	161	NR

First Look at Zach Mettenberger

The most anticipated LSU quarterback recruit since Josh Booty? Hopefully this one works out better than that one did. Here's the new LSU "savior" Zach Mettenberger at the start of spring practice (pic courtesy of LSUSports.net):

First Game at The Box

Last night, I took Trace to his first LSU baseball game at the new Alex Box Stadium. LSU beat Southeastern 7-3, and we had a great time.

Here are some of the highlights of the night:

Eating all the popcorn he wanted:


Watching the game with his friend Cole:

Wait, there's a park here? This definitely put going to an LSU baseball game at the top of his LSU sports list:
Oh yeah, there was a baseball game going on too:

Les Miles Staying at LSU

Sorry Les Miles haters, the Mad Hatter is staying in Tiger Town and not going to Michigan and there's really no reason he should leave LSU. Four 11 win seasons (and LSU has six total), a national championship, a 5-1 bowl record, top 5 recruiting classes every year. Why leave all that for a rebuilding situation?

Weekend Picks

Lots of big games this weekend. The bowl season is wrapping up and the NFL playoffs are starting.

LSU finally gets to play their bowl game, the longest layoff they've had since playing in the BCS national championship game. Perhaps the most exciting thing about the Cotton Bowl is that it's held in the new Cowboys Stadium, so LSU gets to preview the venue before opening up next season there against Oregon. There is some intrigue with the Tigers. I'll be especially interested in seeing if the extra practice time has been beneficial to the QBs, but the most intrigue could come after the game with the almost annual Miles to Michigan talk.

The Saints will start their Super Bowl defense on the road at 7-9 Seattle. Lucky for the Saints that they get the worst playoff team in NFL history because the injury bug has bitten the team hard. RBs Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory are on IR and starters Malcolm Jenkins and Jimmy Graham are likely out as well. On a normal day, Drew Brees will be enough to beat the Seahawks, but the game will be in rainy Quest Field, one of the NFL's toughest venues, and the Saints will be shorthanded. Also, to tempt fate a little more, the team has chosen to wear their awful black pants (the same pants that they repeatedly play bad in). Why not hang it all out there and really stack the odds against a Super Bowl repeat?

There are lots of other great games this weekend, including the BCS Championship on Monday.

Here are my predictions:

Cotton Bowl:
LSU 19
Texas A&M 14

Wild Card Weekend:
Saints 28
Seahawks 14

Jets 23
Colts 32

Ravens 31
Chiefs 16

Packers 20
Eagles 17

BCS National Championship:
Auburn 31
Oregon 38

LSU Bowl Projections

LSU football season is winding down and man, what a wild ride it has been. We've gone from middle of the rankings to let's fire Les Miles to our QBs stinking up Tiger Stadium to an win over Alabama and Miles eating grass to being the #5 team in the BCS rankings. You got all that?

So what does LSU's #5 ranking and 9-1 record get them? Well, it gives them a very, very, very outside shot at the BCS title game, but a good shot at a BCS Bowl. If not one of the big games, LSU will still be playing in one of the better SEC bowl tie-ins.

Here's a look at where a few sites are projecting the Tigers to play in the postseason:

• Sports Illustrated: Sugar Bowl vs. Ohio State
• CBS Sports: Cotton Bowl vs. Oklahoma State
  
• College Football News: Outback Bowl vs. Iowa
• NBC Sports: Orange Bowl vs. Virginian Tech
• ESPN's Mark Schlabach: Outback Bowl vs. Iowa
• ESPN's Andrea Adelson: Cotton Bowl vs. Oklahoma State

Weekend Predictions

One cupcake game and one big-time division game is on tap for LSU and the Saints this weekend.

LSU gets an unofficial week off after two down to the wire games with Tennesse and Florida. The undefeated Tigers welcome McNeese State to Tiger Stadium for the first cupcake game on their tough 2010 schedule. LSU finally has the offense in gear with Jarrett Lee getting more playing time. Maybe this is the week that Jordan Jefferson also contributes to the passing game. Can he complete more than 50 percent of his passes or throw for 150 yards? We shall see.

Prediction:
LSU 48
McNeese 0

The Saints on the other hand face an ulmost "must win" game at Tampa Bay. The 3-2 Saints sit in 3rd place in the division and can't afford to lose anymore ground the the Falcons or Bucs. Drew Brees will right the ship this week and the offense will have its breakout game.

Prediction:
Saints 31
Bucs 17

Weekend Predictions

I'm feeling good about both LSU and the Saints this weekend. Neither have looked great, but a win over Florida would do wonders for LSU's national image, especially after that Tennessee game, and the Saints should be able to get on track with UDFA Max Hall starting for Arizona.

Predictions:
LSU 18
Florida 14

Saints 38
Cardinals 17