The matchup has been decided for the College Football Playoff national championship game. Number one Clemson scored 21 unanswered second half points to blow past number four Oklahoma 37-17 in the Orange Bowl. And second ranked Alabama dominated number three Michigan State in the Cotton Bowl 38-0. Clemson and Alabama will meet January 11th in the CFP National Championship Game at Glendale, Arizona.

Louisiana Tech has promoted Tim Rattay from outside receivers coach to quarterbacks coach. Rattay has been a Bulldog assistant the last three years after a record-setting career as a quarterback for Tech in the late 1990s. Rattay was promoted after offensive coordinator Tony Peterson left La Tech for the same job at East Carolina University. No word on who the Bulldogs will hire to direct their offense.

In college basketball, Majok Deng scored 18 to lead ULM to a 72-56 win over Appalachian State. The win improves the Warhawks to 6-7 and a perfect 2-0 in Sun Belt Conference play.

A high school football prospect in northwest Louisiana has been arrested for a second time in the last several weeks. It’s being reported that Devin White was charged with careless operation of a motor vehicle and flight from an officer. White, who had a stellar career at North Webster, was charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile in November. He’s being recruited by LSU.

The Clippers ended the Pels three game home winning streak last night defeating them 95-89. JJ Reddick pumped in 26 for Los Angeles to end an unbeaten 5 game road trip. Six Pelicans scored in double figures in the defeat led by Ryan Anderson’s 17 followed by Jrue Holiday with 15. The Pels are now 10-22 and are looking to get a “W” this Saturday at Dallas.

The Saints are looking to close out the regular season on a two game winning streak when they face the Atlanta Falcons. Although they’re guaranteed a second straight losing season, a win would let New Orleans finish the season with a 7-9 record. Sunday’s kickoff is at noon.

LSU is looking for a new defensive coordinator after Kevin Steele left the Tigers for the same job at Auburn. Footbally analyst Mike Detillier says Steele’s departure is not a big loss for LSU…
cut 30 (10) “…late in the season”
Detillier doesn’t believe LSU will promote someone currently on staff to become the team’s next defensive coordinator. He says they spoke with several people about this same job last year and they may go back to that list to fill this void.

Louisiana Tech has promoted Tim Rattay from outside receivers coach to quarterbacks coach. Rattay has been a Bulldog assistant the last three years after a record-setting career as a quarterback for Tech in the late 1990s. Rattay was promoted after offensive coordinator Tony Peterson left La Tech for the same job at East Carolina. No word on who the Bulldogs will hire to direct their offense.

A high school football prospect in northwest Louisiana has been arrested for a second time in the last several weeks. It’s being reported that Devin White was charged with careless operation of a motor vehicle and flight from an officer. White, who had a stellar career at North Webster, was charged with carnal knowledge of a juvenile in November. He’s being recruited by LSU.

The Saints are looking to close out the regular season on a strong note when they face the Atlanta Falcons. A win would give New Orleans a 7-9 record in 2015. Some young wide receivers have emerged this year. Brandin Cooks and Willie Snead have combined to catch 145 passes and 12 touchdowns. Quarterback Drew Brees believes the future is bright for the Saints, because of those two…
cut 18 (19) “…a time”
New Orleans at Atlanta is noon Sunday.

LSU is conducting another search for a defensive coordinator. After just one season, Kevin Steele has left the Tigers to do the same job at Auburn. LSU fans are wondering if Coach Les Miles will promote defensive line coach Ed Orgeron and make him the head man of the defense. NFL analyst Mike Detillier doesn’t see that happening…
cut 12 (05) “…the family”
LSU conducted an extensive search for a defensive coordinator last year and the names of some of the candidates were recently made public. Detillier says Miles may talk to some of those individuals again this year.

Louisiana Tech has lost its offensive coordinator to East Carolina. Tony Petersen has left the program, so Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz has promoted former Tech star Tim Rattay to quarterbacks coach. Rattay has spent the last three years as Tech’s outside receivers coach.

The Saints will take on the Falcons this Sunday. There’s been speculation for weeks that this could be quarterback Drew Brees last game in a New Orleans uniform. Brees doesn’t understand how these rumors get started and why they are reported…
cut 17 (19) “…I chuckle”
In other Saints news…running back CJ Spiller will not play in the regular season finale as he’s been placed on injured reserve. Spiller never lived up to expectations this season after having surgery on his knee during training camp.

The Pelicans host the Clippers tonight for a New Year’s Eve contest in the Smoothie King Center. Los Angeles played last night in Charlotte and beat the Bobcats 122-117. Tip-off tonight is at 7:00.

After just one season, defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has left the LSU football team to accept the same position at Auburn. The list of candidates LSU used last year to hire Steele recently became public and football analyst Mike Detillier believes head coach Les Miles will go back to that list to replace him…

cut 11 (11) “at LSU”

Wisconsin defensive coordinator Dave Aranda, Georgia Tech’s Ted Roof, Penn State’s Bob Shoop, and Oklahoma’s Mike Stoops are some of the individuals Miles spoke with last year.

In college basketball action Wednesday, Jackson State belted Southeastern Louisiana 89-66. The Lions’ Zay Jackson led all scorers with 23. Southeastern has now lost five straight and are winless on the road this season. The Lions begin Southland Conference play Saturday at home against Stephen F. Austin.

The Saints final regular season game is this Sunday as the Black and Gold visit Atlanta. New Orleans will look to end the season on a two-game winning streak, but that won’t be good enough to avoid a second straight losing season. Quarterback Drew Brees says despite missing the playoffs again, he feels good about the future because of the character and leadership that’s on the team…

cut 16 (15) “move forward”

Doug Atkins, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and a member of that very first Saints team, has passed away at the age of 85. Atkins died of natural causes. The six-foot-eight defensive lineman played for the Black and Gold from 1967-69.

Tonight, the Pelicans host the Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers will be without Blake Griffin who injured his left quad on Christmas Day. Although they’ve lost two of their last three, the Pels are riding a season high three game home winning streak.

LSU needs to find another defensive coordinator.Kevin Steele has left LSU after one season as the Tigers D-C and he’s taking the same job at Auburn. This past season, LSU’s defense had its ups and downs, but played well last night in a 56-27 win over Texas Tech. Coach Les Miles is impressed with what Steele did as LSU’s defense produced six sacks…
cut 5 (08) “…certain things”
Steele takes over for Will Muschamp, who left Auburn after one season to become the head coach at South Carolina.

Auburn played Memphis today in the Birmingham Bowl and won easily 31-10.

Doug Atkins, a Pro Football Hall of Famer and a member of that first Saints team in 1967, has passed away at the age of 85. Atkins died of natural causes. The six-foot-eight defensive lineman played for the Black and Gold from 1967-69.

This Sunday the Saints face the Atlanta Falcons in the regular season finale. Quarterback Drew Brees says he’s amused by the reports that this could be his last game in a Saints uniform…
cut 30 (20) “…right here”
Brees is also disappointed over the possiblity that the Chargers will leave for Los Angeles. Brees started his pro career in a San Diego uniform.

The LSU men’s basketball team was looking for some momentum heading into 2016, but they didn’t get it as they lost to Wake Forest 77-71. Ben Simmons had a double-double as he scored 21 points and had 12 rebounds. But the Tigers turned the ball over 17 times.

In action tonight…Southeastern Louisiana is at Jackson State.

LSU running back Leonard Fournette put on an impressive performance in the Tigers 56-27 win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. The sophomore from New Orleans rushed for 212 yards and scored five touchdowns. Coach Les Miles is not surprised by Fournette’s showing…
cut 3 (10) “…special back”
Fournette finished 47 yards away from eclipsing 2,000 rushing yards on the season. The win gives LSU a 9-3 record for 2015. Miles hopes the victory over the Red Raiders is the sign of things to come in 2016….
cut 4 (12) “….bountiful way”
Will Kevin Steele return as LSU’s defensive coordinator in 2016. There’s reports he may take the same job at Auburn. It’s also being reported that LSU is working to keep Steele in Baton Rouge.

UL Lafayette needs a new offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Jay Johnson, who has guided the Cajuns offense the last five seasons, has accpeted the same job at the University of Minnesota. Johnson is a Minnesota native, who helped former quarterback Terrance Broadway set the school record for total offense.

In college hoops…LSU lost for a fifth time this season as they fell to Wake Forest 77-71. The Tigers could not overcome 17 turnovers. LSU begins SEC play on Saturday against Vanderbilt.

Tulane started American Athletic Conference play by losing to Memphis 77-65.

Today…UL Lafayette hosts Spring Hill. Southeastern Louisiana is at Jackson State.

The Pelicans are off tonight. They host Chris Paul and the Clippers tomorrow night.

LSU scored 21 points in the third quarter to pull away in their 56-27 win over Texas Tech in last night’s Texas Bowl in Houston. Running back Leonard Fournette rushed for 212 yards and four touchdowns and caught a 44 yard pass for a fifth TD to lead the Tigers. Red Raider quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 370 yards and four touchdowns, but the LSU defense kept him under heavy pressure throughout the game and sacked him six times. LSU finishes their season with a 9-3 record.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees told the NFL Network that he doesn’t see himself or Coach Sean Payton leaving in the off season. Both have been rumored to possibly leave after this year. In the appearance, Brees said he’s confident that the leadership, character and talent on the team will be able to make a successful run in the future.

Yesterday in college hoops action, Wake Forest outscored LSU 18-11 in the final 3:43 of the game to take home 77-71 win over the Tigers. Ben Simmons led LSU with 21 points and a dozen rebounds. The Tigers fall to 7-5 as they prepare for their Southeastern Conference opener against Vandebilt Saturday.

Not the start Tulane wanted in the American Conference as they lost their league opener to Memphis 77-65. The Green Wave led by two at the half 37-34, but Ricky Tarrant, Jr. scored 12 second half points to help lead Memphis win their 12th straight league opener. Tulane will welcome the UConn Huskies Saturday night.

Christavious Gill scored 22 as UNO overpowered Blue Mountain College 94-61. The Privateers made 29 of their 51 shots from the field, including 7 of 16 from beyond the three point line. UNO opens Southland Conference play Monday at Lamar.

Northwestern State crushed Centenary 92-69. The Demons will open league play Saturday when they host Houston Baptist.

LSU star running back Leonard Fournette needs 259 yards tonight in the Texas Bowl to reach 2,000 on the season. The Tigers and Red Raiders battle tonight at 8pm in NRG Stadium. Fournette told reporters in Houston that he didn’t set any goals for this season…:
cut 12 (13) “to the limit”
Tonight’s game has officially sold out. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor James Moran says if the Tigers can stick to the running game tonight, they should be able to come away with the win…:
CUT 15 (14) “talented team”

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees told the NFL Network that he doesn’t see himself or Coach Sean Payton leaving in the off season. Both have been rumored to possibly leave after this year. In the appearance, Brees said he’s confident that the leadership, character and talent on the team will be able to make a successful run in the future.

The LSU men’s basketball team takes on Wake Forest tonight at 6 in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.

Today Tulane opened conference play with a loss to Memphis 77-65. In other hoops action today, UNO takes on Blue Mountain College, Centenary hosts Northwestern State and McNeese State faces Jarvis Christian College.

The New Orleans Pelicans played another game they’d probably like to forget last night. The Pels didn’t do much of anything after halftime and ended up falling to the Orlando Magic 104-89. The Pelicans head back to the Smoothie King Center to host the Los Angeles Clippers on New Year’s Eve.

LSU and Texas Tech face off tonight in the Texas Bowl in NRG Stadium in Houston. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor James Moran says this game is highlighted by massive contrasting styles…

cut 13 (14) “to win the game”

The contest will be televised by ESPN with kickoff scheduled for 8PM. Tonight’s game is also longtime LSU play-by-play announcer Jim Hawthorne’s final football game.

Nik Vucevic’s 28 points led the Orlando Magic to a 104-89 win over the New Orleans Pelicans last night. Anthony Davis led the Pels with 20 points, followed by Norris Cole’s 17. The Pelicans head back to the Smoothie King Center to host the Los Angeles Clippers on New Year’s Eve.

In the college basketball, yesterday – Louisiana Tech blew past Prairie View 77-58. The Bulldogs scored the first 10 points of the game, led by 21 at the half, and never looked back. Tech was led by Alex Hamilton’s 23 points and 10 assists. Louisiana Tech is 11-2 heading into their Conference USA opener Saturday against Southern Miss.

Nicholls State has now lost six of their last seven after they were crushed by Houston 76-49. Nicholls was held to just 28-percent shooting from the field and the Cougars led by as much as 29 points in the second half. The 4-9 Colonels will open Southland Conference play Saturday when they host Lamar.

In hoops action today, UNO takes on Blue Mountain College, Centenary hosts Northwestern State, McNeese State faces Jarvis Christian College, LSU hosts Wake Forest, and Tulane opens American Conference play against Memphis.

The 8-3 LSU Tigers and the 7-5 Texas Tech Red Raiders face off tonight in the Texas Bowl in NRG Stadium in Houston. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor James Moran says you can expect this to be a high scoring game with lots of offense…

cut 14 (12) “a little bit”

The game has an 8PM kickoff and you can watch on ESPN.

Orlando shot just at 55-percent from the field last night as they beat the Pelicans 104-89. The Magic were led by Nik Vucevic’s 28 points and Evan Fournier had 20. Anthony Davis led the Pels with 20 points, followed by Norris Cole’s 17. The Pelicans head back to the Smoothie King Center to host the Los Angeles Clippers on New Year’s Eve.

On the college hardwood, yesterday – Nicholls State dropped to 4-9 as they were manhandled by Houston 76-49. The Cougars held the Colonels to 28-percent shooting from the field and led by as mush as 29 points in the second half. Nicholls has lost six of their last seven heading into their Southland Conference opener against Lamar, Saturday.

Alex Hamilton scored 23 points and added 10 assists as Louisiana Tech blew past Prairie View 77-58. The Bulldogs scored the first 10 points of the game and led by 21 at the half before cruising to victory in the second half. Tech improves to 11-2 and will kick off their Conference USA schedule Saturday against Southern Miss.

Today, Tulane opens American Conference play against Memphis, UNO takes on Blue Mountain College, Centenary hosts Northwestern State, McNeese State faces Jarvis Christian College, and LSU hosts the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.