It did not take long for LSU to hire a new defensive coordinator. Less than 72 hours after Kevin Steele announced he was leaving Baton Rouge to take the defensive coordinator at Auburn, the Tigers announce that Wisconsin’s Dave Arnada will lead the LSU defense next season. Under Arnada, the Badgers led the FBS in scoring defense, allowing less than 14 points per game. In fact, in five major defensive categories the Wisconsin defense ranks in the top seven nationally. In a twist of fate, LSU opens their 2016 football season against Wisconsin.

Former Neville High standout John Diarse is transferring from LSU. Diarse was a reserve wide receiver this past season and caught 13 passes for 137 yards, including a season-high 45 receiving yards in the Tigers’ win over Texas Tech in the Texas Bowl. Diarse graduated from LSU last month and can continue his college career somewhere else.

12th ranked Ole Miss scored 24 points in the second quarter on their way to a 48-20 win over number 16 Oklahoma State in last night’s Sugar Bowl in the Mercedes Benz-Superdome. Rebel quarterback Chad Kelly threw for 302 yards and four touchdowns as Ole Miss won their first Sugar Bowl since 1970. With the win, the SEC improves to 6-2 this bowl season.

Today in college basketball…LSU begins SEC play as it visits Vanderbilt for a game that can be seen on ESPN Two at eight o’ clock. The Tigers have been up and down in their pre-conference schedule and they enter league play with a 7-5 record.

Louisiana Tech opens their Conference USA schedule hosting Southern Miss.

In the Southland Conference, Northwestern State takes on Houston Baptist, Nicholls State Hosts Lamar, and McNeese State travels to Nacogdoches to face Stephen F. Austin.

In the SWAC, Grambling hosts Alabama A&M and Southern will face Texas Southern in Houston.

In the Sun Belt, UL-Lafayette plays Appalachian State in the Cajundome.

And Tulane hosts UConn in an American Conference matchup.