Doctor Who Goes Updated Retro

In this season's brilliant Christmas special, The Snowmen, Doctor Whoshowcased a number of new features and introductions. There was the new companion, Clara, for one, but while she was technically introduced in the season premiere, Asylum of the Daleks, the companion Clara still hasn't been introduced. This is a bit of timey-whimeyness and a bit of Steven Moffat toying with the audience (**spoilers** Clara Oswin Oswald made an appearance in both episodes, but didn't make it out alive in either). So while we've got months to discuss this new companion and the mystery surrounding her, here are some of the other changes to Doctor Who:

New opening titles:



This opening title sequence still ties in with the new series, but pays homage to the classic series with the stars and having the Doctor's face appear in space. Really enjoyed this new look.

The Tardis:

The biggest change, besides a new companion, is the new look Tardis exterior with worn paint and the completely revamped interior:



While it looks streamlined compared to Matt Smith's previous interior, there is a lot going on here. It will take a few viewings to really get a feel for it, but at first look, I like it. I can see how some fans who've only seen the new series may not care for it, but many classic series fans had a hard time at first with the coral look that has been a staple over the past few years.

This new look definitely is a nod to the classic series. Here's a look at the Tardis interior over the years to get a feel for how the look has changed in subtle or drastic ways over the years.

New costume:

He still has a bowtie, but everything else was changed for this episode. Is this a one-off look or is the Professor Indiana Jones look gone for good? Matt Smith enjoys having the Doctor wear hats, so the top hat was a nice touch. We'll see where they go with the costume, but as we see in the coming soon trailer, it looks like different variations of his outfit may be coming. Remember, David Tennant wore multiple suits during his time as the Doctor and Tom Baker went through a few variations of his basic look, so changing Smith's outfit isn't a big change for the series as long as they never forget, bow ties are cool:

Nirvana Reunion with Paul McCartney

"Cut Me Some Slack"

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.)

Record Setting: Brees Breaks Unitas' Record

Congratulations Drew!

Saints need their mojo back

What is going on around here? The Saints were finally looking like the team we thought they'd be. They were ahead 24-6 over the lowly Chiefs and had the game at hand, then the next thing you know, Saints fans are watching Ryan Succop's field goal sail through the uprights and 0-3 is exactly who the Saints are today.

There's no sugar-coating this, the Saints are a bad team right now. They have no direction and are like a rudderless ship. Of course, that's exactly what they are without head coach Sean Payton.

What was crazy about the Chiefs lost was how bad both the offense and defense looked in the second half. Saints coaches placed mirrors in each player's locker after the Carolina loss last week so there would be no finger pointing and everyone would look at themselves first. Well, I guess the offense wanted a reason to have to look at themselves in the mirror because they joined their atrocious defensive counterparts this week and stunk up the Superdome in the second half.

What happened to this team? The offensive line couldn't block anyone and the receivers have a bad case of the droppsies. Runningbacks can't get more than a few yards and Drew Brees is forcing way too many passes into coverage and suffering interceptions as a result.

That's not even to mention the defense, which is playing some of the worse football Saints fans have seen in the Sean Payton/Drew Brees era. Running backs are all looking like hall of famers and receivers are catching first down after first down with nary a defender in site. Little to no pressure is being put on opposing quarterbacks, and the once beaten down former coordinator Gregg Williams, is now being looked at in a new light, bounty scandals and all.

To not feel left out in the mirror gazing, sure-footed Garrett Hartley missed what could have been the game-sealing field goal in that unbelievable second half as well.

So where do the Saints go from here? These are all professionals and they won't just give up, but the odds and the schedule are against them. Looking at the next few weeks, the schedule is brutal (Green Bay, San Diego, Denver, Philadelphia and Atlanta are five of the next six games).

This may be one of those years where Saints fans can start reciting the old school Saints unofficial slogan, "Wait 'til next year!" Of course, next year can't come soon enough because then, Sean Payton will be walking through the door and the team will have it's mojo back.

Football is back! The Giants and Cowboys kicked off the regular season this past Wednesday and the rest of the league gets started this weekend. For Saints fans, the start of the season can't come soon enough. With bounty-gate, the ESPN-crafted eavesdropping story and Drew Brees' contract dispute, this offseason is one that fans soon want to forget. Here's a look at my take on how the season will play out: 

NFL Playoffs:
AFC North: Baltimore Ravens
AFC South: Houston Texans
AFC East: New England Patriots
AFC West: Oakland Raiders
Wild Cards: Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers

NFC North: Green Bay Packers
NFC South: New Orleans Saints
NFC East: Dallas Cowboys
NFC West: San Francisco 49ers
Wild Cards: Philadelphia Eagles, Chicago Bears

AFC Championship: Patriots over Texans
NFC Championship: Packers over Saints

Super Bowl: Packers over Patriots

#1 Pick in 2013 Draft: Cleveland Browns

League Awards:
MVP: Drew Brees, QB, Saints
Offensive Player of the Year: Tom Brady, QB, Patriots
Defensive Player of the Year: DeMarcus Ware, LB, Cowboys
Offensive Rookie of the Year: Andrew Luck, QB, Colts
Defensive Rookie of the Year: Chandler Jones, DE, Patriots
Comeback Player of the Year: Adrian Peterson, RB, Vikings
Coach of the Year: Chan Gailey, Bills