Cocks vs Tigers

Last week the Tigers traveled to Lambeau Field and suffered their first Opening Day loss in twelve years, as well ended their record streak of non-conference wins at 53. The offense came out stagnate and ineffective against a good Wisconsin Badger team. The bright spot was #7 crossed the 3,000 yd. career mark with a respectable 138 yds @ 6 yds per carry against a good Badger defense. The Tiger Defense played very well, stifling the Badgers at times, forcing three turnovers accounting for 14 points. They played soft, taking away the long pass and holding their 3 running backs to just 134 yds.  7 of the 12 Badger possessions started at their own 40 yd line or better, only to reach the endzone once. The Tiger defense did their job. This was a winnable game. The Tigers beat themselves.

This evening as the sun sets on the horizon of a flood ravaged Baton Rouge, Tiger stadium will be bathed in bright light and Purple and Gold as Mike and the Tigers welcome the Jacksonville St. Gamecocks to the electric confines of Death Valley. The Tigers have an amazing record of winning home openers. They look to continue that long tradition.  

Jacksonville State went 13-2 last year and played in the FCS National Championship game. They have a seasoned QB who can light you up. This should be another good test of a Tiger defense that is expected to continue to improve as weeks go on. And this is the last opportunity for LSU to get the kinks out of the offense before Conference play starts next week. Let him throw, Les. Let him throw!

✔ Reluctantly, I say Tigers by 10

Elsewhere in the SEC:

✔ Western Kentucky vs #1 Alabama- 3:30pm

Alabama blew the doors off USC last week, and the Tide appeared to roll as they did last year. The WK Hilltoppers visit Tuscaloosa Saturday and we will have the answer to the Question: Is the Tide as good as they appear again this year?

I say the Tide by 20

✔ Arkansas vs #15 TCU- 7:00pm

This is a game that may come down to defense. TCU can put up points, but give up a lot. BUT, I say the Hogs surprise Frogs early and hold on for a slim win.  

UPSET- I say Hogs by 3

✔ Virgina tech vs #17 Tenneessee - 8:00pm

I'm still not convinced the Vols are all that. I picked Georgia as SEC East Champs. And like LSU, the Vols still have alot to prove. But if Butch Jones took my advice and drank heavily this week, just maybe the Vols have improved enough to contend. 

I say Tennessee by 7 

Someone Say Football?

Yes, it's indeed that time of year. It's been 8 long months since the Crimson Tide raised the Golden Trophy in victory. But now there are fresh jerseys, refurbished helmets, new cleats and all new, longer and much improved fake weaves to flow from beneath the helmets. (I hear they give you that extra half-step on your competitor). The Expert Sports Monkeys have picked their top 20, conference champions, National Champs and even the Heisman Trophy winner. And as usual, they will be wrong. But the season is finally here.

At LSU the expectations are high. And believe me, the people of Baton Rouge could use some long-term good news in the form of a  successful season for the Tigers. Since the recruiting class' of 2013-2014, people in the know of college football have pointed to the 2016 season as the year the Tigers would have the experience and pieces in place to make a run back to the top. Some though it came early, last year.  But it was not to be. Key player injuries, confusion in play calling and a trip to Tuscaloosa cost them what should have been a 10+ win season. You can't win championships with a team dominated by freshmen and sophomores lining up against non academic 5th year seniors who should be in the NFL.   

But this year, they are no longer the "Young Tigers". Not since 2011 have the Tigers been this loaded. Five of seven players bound for NFL early round draft picks chose to return for their senior year (2 of which are pre-season All- Americans) because they saw the spark of what could be this year. 

The early season may hinge on how well the Tiger Defense has adapted to the new 3-4 scheme. Through the 2013 - 2015 seasons under coordinator Dave Aranda, the Wisconsin Badgers statistically had the best defense in the nation. Aranda is now a Tiger, and has inherited a lot more talent then he previously had.  Aranda likes to play pin-the-ears back, aggressive multi-look defense that was the hallmark of past Tiger Championship teams.  With the defensive backfield expected to be one one the best in the league, the mantra this year is "Run if you can, throw at your own risk".   

As for the LSU offense, all that needs to be said is that every time #7 touches the ball it will be a violent reminder why he should have at least been invited to New York last December. NUFF' SAID.  If talent and confidence translate to performance on the field, the 2016 Tigers could turn out to be scary team to face. We'll see......

Diogenes Predictions for Week One:

* The SEC teams kicked off the season Thursday night as the SEC East favored #9 Tennessee Vols were man handled and pushed around by the one of the great defensive units in college football history, The Appalachian State Mountaineers. The Vols trailed for all but 10 mins of the 4th quarter, but squeaked out a win in overtime. If I was Tennessee coach Butch Jones, I'd start drinking. Heavily! 

LSU vs Wisconsin: (2:30PM CT - ABC)
The Tigers travel to historic Lambeau Field to meet the Big 10 Wisconsin Badgers, and attempt to extend their NCAA record to 54 straight non-conference wins. The Badgers are a big, physical, run it down your throat team and will be a good test of the new Tiger run defense. This should be a good game, with Wisconsin out to prove they are as good as anyone in the Big 10, with or without Dave Aranda. The Tigers are favored and plan on leaving their SEC calling card as a reminder where the toughest conference in college football resides. 

I'm wondering what #7 will be feeling running the same field another great LSU running back, Jim Taylor, did years ago, carrying a few over the goal line for Coach Lombardy?

 Alabama vs USC: (7:00PM CT - ABC)
The USC Trojans travel to Jerry's World in Arlington Texas to face the retooled Crimson Tide as they begin the defense of their National Championship. This will be the first meeting of the teams in over thirty years. I know very little about USC, other then they are said to be on the rise as far as the PAC 12 goes. Nothing would raise their stock more than knocking off the #1 ranked defending National Champions on national TV...... ain't gonna happen. 

What will happen is USC will get a swift and thorough lesson on how we play football down in God's Country. 

_________________

Since no teams have actually played yet, the above predictions are based solely on what I know about the teams and personal pre-season conversations with smart people.  I said it, so it is so! (All future predictions are subject to my tingly girlie intuition parts) But, Diogenes did get out and dust off her sometime reliable crystal ball to look long term for a few predictions.  Here's what It told me:

1)  Leonard Fournette WILL NOT win the Heisman Trophy . But, he will end his career as a Tiger by breaking all of Kevin Faulk's rushing records to become the Greatest Running back in LSU history, and #2 all-time career rushing leader in SEC History. 

2)  Alabama and LSU will both finish the regular season 11-1, both with one conference loss. The winner of the Nov. 5th meeting in Tiger Stadium will make the trip to Atlanta and defeat the Georgia Bulldogs for the SEC title.  

Next Week, Tiger Stadium comes alive......

Is It Football Season Yet??

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of their first Top 20 AP college football poll, the Sports Monkeys at the Associated Press today announced their rankings of the Greatest Collegiate Football programs of all time. 

"College football is rich with history, and the AP poll is a unique measure of how the sport has changed through time. The all-time list lets fans interact with that history, and debate how the nation's top programs fared over time." -  Deputy Sports Editor, Noreen Gillespie 

According to the AP, the rankings were based on total poll appearances, number of times ranked No. 1 and AP national championships. The AP poll started on Oct. 19, 1936, with 20 teams before getting reduced to 10 teams (1961-67) and then expanding back to 20 in 1968. The AP Top 25, as we know it today, started with the 1989 football season. You can see the complete list of the 100 programs ranked here. 

AP Top 20 All-time Great  Collegiate Football Programs:

10 Saturdays From Today....

On September 3rd, the 2016 NCAA Div.1 college football season swings into full motion. Things start quickly with a slate of marque games. In games of special interest to us round here, the USC Prophylactics will travel eastward to meet the  retooled  defending National Champions at Jerry World in Dallas, for what is sure to be a brutal lesson on how we play football down south. And the Cats from Baton Rouge will pack up #7 and travel north to the hollowed ground of Lambeau Field to play a fierce Wisconsin Badger team in the first college football played at Lambeau in 33 years.  The Tigers plan leaving their calling card with a note of sincerity, reminding the Big10 who the toughest conference in college football is.

This season will be an interesting year in the SEC to say the least. Will the Crimson Tide end a two game losing streak to Old Miss, and avenge the one blemish on what could have been a perfect season last year? Will LSU break the curse of 2011 and defeat the Tide who must do battle in the confines of Death Valley? Can Chad Kelly match last year performance? Will Nick Chubb show up? It's all yet to be seen. 

But as I did last year, I predict no SEC West team goes undefeated. The talent and Defenses are the toughest in the nation. That said, I believe more then one Southeastern Conference team have as good a chance as any in the country to raise the National Championship Trophy into the air this January.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards Asks to be Impeached

This is government by hostage taking like in the bad ol’ days of Edwin Edwards.
The only way John Bel Edwards will release the hostages is if he gets more tax increases.

Governor John Bel Edwards, who campaigned to fix the state budget problems with cuts, not by raising taxes on an already high taxed citizenry, spoke to the the citizens of Louisiana Thursday night. In his twelve plus minute speech, the Governor addressed the state's budget deficit of nearly $1 billion dollars…and he told Louisianans it's worse than he thought. (even though he had sat in the Louisiana House of Reps from 2008, and as minority leader since 2012 where he voted for deficit spending)  So now he targets Health and Higher Education for cuts.

On the day he stopped TOPS funding for state college students, Edwards spoke in dire terms:

“I will also tell you about cuts we are facing that, without your support to fix, will close down higher education institutions all across our state."

Then he he pull out all the stops and jumped with all fours squarely onto the third rail of Louisiana politics while measuring his neck for a noose by saying the cash crisis even threatens the upcoming LSU football season and more:

“…the LSU main campus in Baton Rouge will run out of money after April 30th, as will the LSU Health Sciences Center in Shreveport. There is no money left for payroll after those dates.”

Governor Edwards vetoed a bill passed by the legislature in the special session that would've cut the budgets of five state boards and save millions. Beholding to unions, he has yet to propose cuts in a bloated state employee staff, or outside consultants. (Thanks Boobie Jindal)

He tried this emotional terrorism last month when he threaten to cut a program in Louisiana that helps parents of special needs children with housing, transportation, healthcare, and other essentials. The program is a valuable tool for families truly in need of assistance when developmental disabilities can take up so much of a parent’s time and resources. And, Edwards, had threatened to cut those services if the legislature didn't raise taxes. 

They Did.

After passing a 28 page bill, the state now virtually taxes everything. Besides raising sin taxes on alcohol and cigarettes, new taxes include things like your membership fees and dues to civic organizations like the American Legion, YMCA, Daughters of the Confederacy, Daughters of the American Revolution, local historical societies, concert tickets and Opera and Symphony memberships. But that's still not enough for John Bel.

But ya don't have to pay taxes on your food stamp purchases!

By threatening to turn off the dialysis machines at Charity Hospital and canceling the most anticipated LSU's Football season in years, the good governor has pulled the noose a little tighter. And we aren't very picky which lamp post he'll swing from.  

[KEEL 710AM]
[And So It Goes In Shreveport]
[image via The Hayride.com]

The Battle For The Golden Boot

  Razorbacks vs. The Tigers

After spending the week licking their wounds, Mike and the Tigers welcome to Tiger Stadium Saturday Night the 5-4 Hogs of Arkansas and their coach Bret Bielema, the SEC's own version of Oliver Hardy. The Hogs are flying high after twice dodging a bullet with OT wins over Auburn and then Ole Missy last week, and are out to spoil LSU's season.

And also at stake is tradition; this game is for the semi-coveted 4ft, 24carret Gold, Golden Boot Trophy. 

This is also a revenge game for the Tigers, after losing to the Hogs last year in Fayetteville. 

As with the week of the Arkansas -Alabama game, I'm hesitant to call this one, but I will. 

While the hogs are on fire recently and may play the Tigers close, they didn't have the luxury of two weeks to analyze the Tiger offensive line and counter to the point of knowing every move they make before they make it like their last opponent. The Hogs defense have given up over 400yd. per game, but can also put points on the board. If the young Tigers confidence didn't suffer after last week, they skin some Hog and send them home, minus the trophy. 
I say Tigers by 10    



Elsewhere in the Football world:

Alabama @ Mississippi St.- Two Words -  Dak Prescott. The best QB in the SEC. and some say in all of college football, who runs the type of offensive that's has given Alabama their worst headaches this year. Bama will have to press hard and hope their one vulnerability, the secondary plays well. Mississippi St. almost beat the Tide at home last year and could have their hands full again this week. This may be the best game of the week in all of college football. But if the Tide defense can bring the heat, they wear the Dawgs down and pull away with a win. I say The Tide by 13


 Oklahoma @ Baylor - At the beginning of the year I wrote down six teams I believed could be in contention for a National Championship at the end of the year. One of the six was the Oklahoma Sooners. Of course in usual fashion, after their loss to the hapless Texas Longhorns, the 'expert sports monkeys' wrote them off. I didn't. I also don't believe (just as I haven't believed about my own LSU Tigers for many weeks now) that Baylor is a top 5 team just because they're undefeated. So here comes the Sooners. They have a tough schedule in front of them, but I believe they have been under-rated because of the loss to Texas. - I Call Upset! BIG RED takes down Baylor. 

After not calling the Alabama -LSU game last week, I'll take the hit on my record anyway for it being such a domination, but will balance it out with a win for my correct prediction in week 6 that no team in the SEC would go undefeated this year.

Previously, in  in week #8  I correctly hit the Tennessee-Alabama and LSU-WKU games, but missed on the A&M loss to Ole Miss for a combined record of 3-2 for the two weeks.

Jan's Picks YTD. 17- 4

The Tussle in Tuscaloosa

The 7-0 Tigers vs The 7-1 Crimson Tide

MIKE IS NOT PLEASED! Alabama 30 - LSU 16

I've been told that in the upper left hand corner of the chalkboard in the football defensive squad room at Louisiana State University are written the numbers '2011', circled in red. Every defensive player for LSU in the last few years knows the meaning, and the reason they are there. 

On November 5th, 2011, a crowd of 101,800+ squeezed into Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa Alabama to create a sea of red and witness the visiting #1 ranked LSU Tigers battle their #2 ranked Crimson Tide in what the sporting press of the time were calling 'The Game of the Century'.  It lived up to it's name. It was a 4 quarter epic defensive struggle with neither team able to cross the goal line.  LSU won 9-6 with a field goal in overtime.

Two months later, on January 9th, the undefeated #1 Tigers and the #2 Crimson Tide met once again for rematch in New Orleans, this time for the BCS National Championship. 

It was the showdown of the top 2 defenses in college football. This time the LSU defense faltered, and gave up a touchdown, the only one of the game. Alabama kicked their way to a 21-0 victory and captured the 2011 BCS Title, thus denying LSU it's 3rd National Championship in 9 years, and giving Alabama their 2nd Championship Title in 3 years. The mighty Crimson Tide would go on to repeat as National Champions of college football the following year.

Thus are the things of historic rivalries. And this is a rivalry that includes the legendary coaching days of Bear Byrant and Charlie McClendon. And as most years, the last meeting was worthy of such rivalries. With just 50 seconds left on the clock, the #14 Tigers were on the verge of a 13-10 upset of #4 Alabama. A mistake gave The Tide field position and a field goal put the game into overtime, with Alabama scoring an unanswered touchdown for a 20-13 win. That win helped catapulted Alabama on to the SEC Championship and one of four National Championship playoff berths. 

Saturday night in Tuscaloosa  will be the 80th regular season meeting of the teams, and once again an important stage is set. Beside bragging rites, this game holds the key to a SEC West Championship and a step towards a National Champion playoff berth. 

Few rivalries in college football can match the anticipation and  excitement generated on both sides, or hold the importance of the yearly meeting of the Tigers of LSU and the Alabama Crimson Tide.  7 of the last 9 meetings between the teams have been decided by 9 points or less, and since 2003, Alabama and LSU combined have made 6 National Championship Game appearances. (3-0 & 2-1 respectively)
  
The Crimson Tide have owned the Tigers since that January night in New Orleans. But the Football Gods have shined favorably this year on a young Tiger team who have played well ahead of their age and years of experience, and many believe this could be the year '2011' finally gets erased from the chalkboard. 

And as is becoming our tradition, in the spirit of sportsmanship and rivalry, both I and my Blog Sister Curmudgeon of 'The Political Clown Parade', the most die hard Crimson Tide fan I've ever known who proudly bleeds the Crimson and White of Alabama,  shall make a charitable contribution to The Wounded Warrior Project in the name of the winner, to honor the wounded men an women who have made their sacrificed to help insure the freedom we all enjoy.  

So, as in years past it's now time to throw out meaningless poll rankings, power indexes and efficiency ratings and to ignore the 'expert sports monkey's' opining.  Whoever brings their 'A' game and makes the least mistakes will walk away the victor Saturday night.

So buckle in boys and girls..... 
Alabama and LSU gonna play some football!!

GEAUX TIGERS!

Trump Refuses to Take Sides in Big Contest

(Editor's Note: I defy the reader to not hear Trump's voice while reading his remarks below)

MFNS - Des Moines IA. - During a press conference today, our Middle Finger News Service reporter had a chance to ask the Republican front runner a question which he artfully dodged as only a politician can.

MFNS Reporter: Mr. Trump, to step away from the politics of the day for a moment, I'd like to ask about your thoughts on the big Alabama - LSU football game this weekend?

Trump: Now you see Ladies and Gentlemen of the press.......there is more in this world besides politics. You people should take a lesson from this guy...... here is a real Journalist.......Bless you my son........where have you been?  Yes, I'd be glad to talk about other things beside politics. You ask out the Alabama - LSU Game?..... are you kiddin' me? It's gonna be yuge......yuge I Tell ya! You kiddin' me......you seen the size of those guys?........  And those coaches?.......Great Guys. Tremendous guys! That Nick Saban.....cocky little guy.....I like that. He likes to win.....I like that......he yells at his people a lot......I like that......he's tremendous! Just Tremendous!  His team wears red......aaah... I can take it or leave it.....I'm partial to green myself.   And that Les Miles...... what a guy........wears that white hat all the time.....I like that.......I bet he even wears it to bed too.........and he's a sneaky little bastard that never gets rattled......I like that! Tremendous Guy....Just Tremendous! And I'm gonna tell ya......have you seen those LSU cheerleaders? Where do they get those teriffic girls I'm askin' ya? They're amazing!.....I gotta get Les Miles to let me build him a yuge new stadium.....you know his place is almost a 100 years old.....I... 

MFNS: Excuse me Mr Trump, what about the game?

Trump: The Game? It's gonna be friggin' yuge! You kiddin' me....two of the best facin' off face to face.....it gonna be a war.....it's gonna be terrific! And if it was me I'd be runnin' end sweeps.... double reverses......jump passes.....ya know.....give um a real show.....

MFNS: What about the score Mr Trump? Who do you think will win?

Trump: A tremendous game like this?.......ya know I gotta be truthful......I have a lot of amazing supporters in the great states of Louisiana and Alabama....terrific  supporters.......you wouldn't want me to alienate any of my voters.....that's not good politics.  I'll tell ya what ya do.....call my staff after the game and I'll tell ya who I think the winner will be. Look....Ya know this is always a yuge game.....yuge.....a teriffic battle......and I'll tell ya this......I'd probable take either team against anybody in the nation right now .....you kiddin' me......these are two really amazing teams..... tremendous teams! Just Tremendous!......and unlike most of these jerk-offs in the media here, I know I'll be watchin'..... Did I mention those stunning LSU cheerleaders.....I...

MFNS: Uh, Thank You for your answer, Mr. Trump......

Mr. Trump and Tiger Cheerleaders

Hilltoppers vs The Tigers

 

The 6-1 Western Kentucky Hilltoppers Visit The 6-0 LSU Tigers

MIKE IS VERY PLEASED!!

LSU 48 - WKU 20

I'm still not sure exactly what a Hilltopper is, but no less, Saturday night Mike the Tiger welcomes the Kentucky Hilltoppers to Baton Rouge. This game features one of the best passing offenses in the country with QB Brandon Doughty, who leads the nation in completion percentage, averaging 387 yards passing per game this season, against Leonard Fournette and one of the nations top rushing offenses. 

Doughty, said to be on his way to the NFL, is yet this year to face a pass rush like the Tigers, who spend as much time roaming the opponent's backfield as they do. Without a big threat from WKU's running game, it will be interesting to see if the Tigers pin their ears back and come hard to try and rattle  Doughty, and force mistakes. After manhandling the Florida offensive line and dropping the QB for 5 sacks last week, they will certainly be coming. It will also be a test of the sometime suspect Tiger secondary.  LSU is not taking this game lightly at all. WKU is Legit, and this should be a very good game, with the possibility of some big plays.
I Say LSU by 10

GEAUX TIGERS!

Else were in the SEC:

This Is The Week Things Start Getting  Interesting!

Tennessee (3-3) @ #8 Alabama (6-1) - The Volunteers visit Tuscaloosa in this years edition of one of the great rivalries of southern football. It even manifested this year in the form of an hilarious Alabama pranking of die-hard vol fans.

I initially looked at this as just another Alabama home field blow-out, but after seeing statistics from last weeks A&M game, they gave me a bit of a pause. Tennessee will be playing the spoiler and it's been a long dry spell since their last defeat of The Tide. The Vols are hungry. Both beat a good Georgia team.....but with my belief in the Tide's winning ways remaining strong, I have confidence Bama goes out front early and stays there......  
I say Bama by 14  ROLL TIDE!


#15 Texas A&M (5-1)  @  #24 Ole Miss (5-2) - The Aggies travel to Oxford to meet the Rebels (am I allowed to say Rebel?) after another embarrassing defeat at the hands of Alabama last week. This is a must win for both because of the major implication in the SEC west chase, and both must still face LSU. 

I'm going with A&M in this one for a couple of reasons (my growing dislike for Ole Missy has nothing to do with it.....really.....I promise.....really ☻). Turnovers aside, last week A&M's offense actually outscored Alabama's Offense, and the Aggie defense forced the Bama offense into 15 negative yardage plays. (??)

My conclusion is A&M is a better team then the score indicated. (The Tide has a talent for making a good team look bad, believe me, I KNOW THIS VERY WELL!) The Aggies play tough and will be too much for the Rebels.....
I Say A&M by 9 

After putting the so-called 'sports monkey experts' in the weeds by correctly calling a Memphis upset of #13 Ole' Missy last week (no applause please......okay, go ahead I'll wait) I went 2-0 for the week.

Jan's Picks on the year: 14-2

Two Go In - One Comes Out.....

The 6-0 Florida Gators  vs. The 5-0 LSU Tigers

The Gators Visit “the place where dreams go to die” 

MIKE IS PLEASED!

LSU 35 - Florida Gators 28

The Florida Defendants Gators slither into Death Valley Saturday night to take on Mike and the Tigers, although minus their whiz-kid quarterback who got busted by the NCAA using performance enhancing drugs, and  DB Deiondre Porter, suspended after an arrest for allegedly firing a gun in direction of pregnant girlfriend. (gee, imagine that, Florida players in some kind of trouble??)  Their backup quarterback,  Treon Harris is an experienced QB, a former starter benched early this year for failing a team drug screening. ( gee, imagine that, a Florida player........). The Gators are out to avenge last years loss at home to LSU.

The Tigers will be without Leonard Fournette's primary blocker, J.D. Moore, but have home field advantage and the deafening sound of Tiger Stadium, as well as the cutest Cheerleaders in the SEC. The Gators come in with a much vaunted defense, leading the SEC in felony arrest and a definite edge of players with dreadlocks and fake hair extensions.

Florida Gator Head Cheerleaders

But all that really needs to be said is this:  SEC East Leader vs. SEC West Leader........both undefeated......a warm Saturday Night in Death Valley.  Two go In - One comes Out.  

GEAUX TIGERS!

ELSE WHERE IN THE SEC:

Alabama @ A&M: The Tide travels to College Station to battle the Agriculture & Mechanical dudes from Texas. The Aggies will be out to avenge an embarrassing southern Ass-kickin' blow out last year at at the hands of the Tide, and are said to have a very good defense. I very rarely bet against a Nick Saban coached team, and this ain't gonna be the week. If The Tide gets their MoJo rollin' early, it's gonna be a bad day on the Texas plains. 
I say BAMA by 10+

You may proceed with the obligatory Aggie Jokes in the comment section below, as long as the words 'nipple clamps' and 'car battery' are not both included in the same punchline..... 

Ole Miss @ Memphis: Upset! To hell you say! 
Yes. My girly intuition parts are tingling this week. Memphis is riding a 12 game winning streak and ready to bust one on a top 20 team....... and get some R-E-S-P-E-C-T!. Ole Missy comes in a bit cocky from their blowout win last week and take it on the chin. 
I say Memphis by 3   

Jan's Picks: 12-2 on the year.....

Mike Welcomes South Carolina

MIKE IS PLEASED!!

LSU-45   SC-24  

Because of devastating floods that have hit the state of  South Carolina, the USC Gamecocks made the decision to moved their home game to Baton Rouge. In the early searches to find a neutral field, the idea was floated to play the game here, at Independence Stadium, a friendly field for the Gamecocks because of their Independence Bowl Appearance and win last December. The final decision was made by USC to play in Tiger Stadium because of logistics, and the necessities are already in place. Baton Rouge also presents the opportunity for a larger attendance for the visiting SC. 

Baton Rouge has pulling out all the stops to welcome the Gamecocks this weekend, and make this game feel as close as possible to a home game. With the memory still fresh of what Arizona State.Univ. and the people of Tempe did for the Tiger program after Hurricane Katrina and Rita, it's LSU's opportunity  pay it forward.

All game proceeds, television revenue and stadium concessions from the game will go to USC, as well as a relief fund set up to help the victims of the flooding. Our prayers go out for them and our SEC brothers and sisters. They need only look 60 miles to the south of Tiger Stadium to be reminded that devastation and hopelessness can indeed turn into a new and better day. 

Saturday, the entire starting LSU defense will take the field  together for the first time this season. Finally healthy and 100%, it should show. The Gamecocks are an underdog and will be playing the role of spoiler, who knows what tricks Coach Spurrier may have up his sleeve for the Tigers. This should be a good game. It's expected "The Beast" runs for another 200+yds and continues an assault on the SEC record book. 
I say LSU by 20.

ELSE WHERE IN THE SEC:

Arkansas @ Alabama: This game I hesitate to call at all, for good reason: the Hogs have a well earned and justified reputation of jumping nationally ranked teams and handing them their only defeat while on their way to a National Championship ( just ask Oklahoma, Texas, LSU and and Notre Dame in recent history). Bama tasted a little of the hog sweat themselves last year winning at the Hog Pin by only by 1 point (14-13).  It's like the hogs can sniff them out. But, if the Tide stops the hogs from running, it may not even be close.  

Florida @ Missouri: I know absolutely nothing of the Mizzo Tigers, ceptin' they're from up north somewheres and play in the SEC East (?). So I'll say, if the Gators are indeed for real, they go into Baton Rouge undefeated next week for a showdown with Mike and the Tigers.
I say Gators by 10+

Out on a Limb Prediction: No team ..... goes undefeated in the SEC this year. It pains me to say that. National Ranking polls are virtually useless conjecture, just weekly snapshots and mean very little until the last few weeks of the season. No dominate team or clear favorite has yet appeared, but the talent and level of play in the SEC as a whole means some serious big boy football with unexpected surprises in the offing, and a interesting SEC chase.

Jan's Picks: 10-2 on the year......

Mike says It's Time For A Bird Sandwich

LSU dawns the Purple and Gold jerseys for the first time this year as they welcome Eastern Michigan U. to Tiger Stadium Saturday Night. The Eagles (1-3) should pose little problem for Leonard Fournette, and I suspect he runs for 150+ yards the first half and sits out the second. It's the last opportunity for the LSU offense to work out the 'big yardage gain penalty problem' before the tough schedule that lay ahead. Look for the air game to open up, and keep your eye on WR  Malachi Dupre, it may be his night to shine. 

Elsewhere in the SEC:

                                                             The Game to Watch

The 3-1 Alabama Crimson Tide (#13)  travel to meet the 4-0 Georgia Bulldogs (#8).
With one conference lost, this is a must win for the Tide, with the Tennessee, LSU and Miss.St. games still ahead.  With their backs to a wall and going in as an underdog for the first time since 2009, this means just one thing:  BIG TROUBLE FOR THE DAWGS. There is no way in hell I'd bet against a Nick Saban coached team in a position like this. Bama shows their steel, hit their stride and shows the Ole Miss game was a fluke. Bama by 9. 

#3 Ole Miss visits the swamp to play the Florida Gators (#25). As much as I'd like to see the Rebels upset, this is not the week. But they will again struggle, but victors in the end, even tough they should be penalized 6 points for having the ugliest color themed uniforms in the league. (Okay, it's just a girl thing). Ole' Miss by 13.  

Diogenes @ 8-1 through week 4