Preparation continues on the LSU campus for Saturday’s SEC West showdown between the Fighting Tigers and Alabama Crimson Tide. Junior free safety Jalen Mills says they have a good idea of what to expect from Alabama, who plays a similar style as LSU…
cut 17 (16) “…play ball’
LSU is looking to snap a three-game losing streak to Alabama that dates back to the 2011 national championship game.

Grambling State puts its six-game winning streak on the line tonight in a game at Mississippi Valley state. Grambling is 6-0 in the SWAC, while the Delta Devils are 1-and-6. Kick-off tonight is at 6:30 on ESPN-U.

The Saints will host the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday in a game featuring two teams that have identical records. Both clubs are 4-and-4, but the 49ers are coming off a very disappointing loss to St. Louis. But New Orleans Coach Sean Payton says San Fran is still one of the best franchises in the NFL…
cut 19 (15) “…outstanding job”

In high school football…one of the top teams in Class Five-A, Parkway, will likely not be involved in this year’s postseason. The LHSAA denied Parkway’s appeal and they must forfeit five games because they used an ineligible player. There is the possibility a lawsuit could be filed, but as it stands now Parkway gets ready for its regular season finale with a two-and-seven record.

The Saints returned to the practice field today to prepare for Sunday’s game against Colin Kaepernick and the San Francisco 49ers. Here’s Coach Sean Payton on what he’s seen from Kaepernick…
cut 30 (10) “…job with that”
Kaepernick is taking some heat this week as he had a costly fumble at the very end of last week’s game, which resulted in a loss to the St. Louis Rams.

On paper, Alabama has the advantage at quarterback in Saturday’s game against LSU. Blake Sims has completed 65-percent of his passes for 2,034 yards, 15 touchdowns and three interceptions. LSU’s Anthony Jennings has completed only 50-percent of his passes for 1,190 yards, eight touchdowns and five interceptions.

In high school football news…Parkway’s appeal was denied by the LHSAA, which means they’ll have to forfeit five games for using an ineligible player and that won’t make the postseason.

The Ragin Cajuns are getting ready to take a long flight out to New Mexico State to play the Aggies on Saturday night. New Mexico State has lost their last seven, but U-L Lafayette Coach Mark Hudspeth says the Aggies are still a quality football team…
cut 20 (20) “…a lot of breaks”

U-L-M gets back into Sun Belt action this Saturday as the Warhawks will visit Appalachian State. The Warhawks are looking to end a four-game losing streak. The Mountaineers have won two in a row, including a 44-0 win over Georgia State. Kick-off from Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone, North Carolina is at 2:30.

When LSU and Alabama meet in Tiger Stadium on Saturday night, the Bayou Bengals are expected to run the football. But the Crimson Tide are allowing just 78 yards a game on the ground. LSU senior center Elliot Porter expects a hard fought battle in the trenches…
cut 18 (17) “…come with it”
LSU brings a three-game winning streak into Saturday night’s contest. Alabama has also won three in a row, since its 23-17 loss to Ole Miss.

In the latest College Football Rankings…Mississippi State, Florida State and Auburn are still the top three. Oregon is fourth, Alabama is fifth and LSU is 16th, up three spots from last week. Ole Miss dropped to 11th.

The Pelicans snapped a two-game losing streak last night with a 100-91 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Anthony Davis had 24 points and 13 rebounds to lead the way. Jrue Holiday and Ryan Anderson each added 16 points and the Pels shot the ball better as they were 47-percent from the floor.

Saints linebacker Junior Galette has been named the NFC Defensive Player of the Week. He had two sacks and a forced fumble in New Orleans win over Carolina last week.

In other NFL news….Houston Coach Bill O’ Brien has announced former Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett will start at quarterback for the Texans. Mallett replaces Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has led Houston to a four-and-five record. The Texans are off this weekend.

And former LSU Tiger DJ LeMahieu has been named a National League Gold Glove winner for his play at second base for the Rockies. LeMahaieu is the first former Tiger to win this award as led N-L second baseman in defensive runs saved and double plays.

When LSU and Alabama meet on Saturday night in Tiger Stadium, it will be the ninth time, Coach Les Miles has matched wits with Alabama’s Nick Saban. Saban has won five of the previous eight meetings. Miles says it’s enjoyable to face the style of program led by Saban….
cut 19 (17) “….talented coach”
Saban is not ruling out the possibility that his starting left tackle Cameron Robinson of West Monroe will play against LSU, even though he suffered a high ankle sprain in the Crimson Tide’s last game.

The Saints get back to work tomorrow as they’ll get ready to host San Francisco on Sunday. New Orleans is feeling good about itself, as they’ve won two in a row, to move into first place in the NFC South. The 49ers lost to St. Louis last Sunday and they are also 4-and-4. Kick-off on Sunday is at noon.

The Pelicans look to snap a two-game losing streak tonight when they host the Charlotte Hornets. New Orleans lost to Memphis 93 to 81 last night. In the two defeats, the Pelicans shot just 38-percent from the field and 26-percent from three point territory. Tip-off tonight is at seven o’ clock.

Back to college football…Louisiana Tech quarterback Cody Sokol has been named the Louisiana Sports Writers Association offensive player of the week. He threw for 335 and five touchdowns. in the Bulldogs 59-10 win over Western Kentucky.

U-L-M’s Hunter Kissinger and U-L Lafayette’s Christian Ringo are the co-defensive players of the week. Ringo had two sacks and a fumble recovery in the Cajuns 19-9 win over South Alabama and Kissinger had a game-high 13 tackles in the Warhawks loss to Texas A-and-M.

In the latest power rankings for high school football….on the non-select side….Byrd, Plaquemine, Church Point, Kinder and Mangham are ranked number one in their respective classifications. On the select side…the schools that lead their respective divisions are John Curtis, U-High, Catholic High of New Iberia and Vermilion Catholic.

Alabama will arrive in Death Valley on Saturday night with a seven and one record. They once again have one of the top defenses in the Southeastern Conference and on offense they feature Amari Cooper, who leads the SEC in receiving yards. Coach Les Miles says Cooper has great speed and size…
Cut 18 (15) “talented man”
This is the ninth time Miles has matched up with Alabama Coach Nick Saban. His record is 3-and-5.

The Saints will begin their second-half of the season on Sunday against the San Francisco 49ers, who are struggling with a 4-and-4 record. New Orleans is also 4-and-4, but the Black and Gold have won their last two games and lead the NFC South. Kick-off this Sunday is at noon. In other action this weekend….Atlanta is at Tampa Bay and Carolina visits Philadelphia in a Monday night matchup.

Louisiana Tech’s defense is ranked near the top in the country in several categories. They are third in the country in interceptions with 16 and they are number one in points off turnovers and number one in third quarter scoring margin, a plus 91.

UL Lafayette outside linebacker David Saunders has resigned. The university has cited “personal reasons.” Matt Wallerstedt who joined the staff as a consultant, will take over Saunders position.

In the latest high school football polls….Rummel, Neville, UHIGH, Many and Mangham are all ranked number one. In Two-A, Many is number one and Catholic High of New Iberia has moved to number two, followed by Riverside, Calvary Baptist and Kinder.

In the NBA….the Pelicans shot just 33-percent from the field in a 93-81 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies. New Orleans will try to snap its two-game losing streak tonight against the Charlotte Hornets, who are also off to a 1-and-2 start.