The Saints will need help if they want to get into the playoffs. According to the New York Times’ playoff simulator, New Orleans only has a 12-percent of making the postseason. They can be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss on Sunday against Tampa Bay. Coach Dennis Allen says his team’s mindset hasn’t changed…
Cut 16 (16) “…that’s the message.”
The Saints have lost four of their last six. The four defeats were by eight points or less.

Tulane’s season ended yesterday with a 41-20 loss to Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl. The Green Wave finish with an 11-and-3 record and that’s probably not good enough for them to finish ranked for a second consecutive season.

LSU is in Tampa getting ready to play Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Day. But multiple media outlets are reporting freshman offensive tackle Lance Heard is not there. Heard appeared in all 12 games this year and made one start. Coach Brian Kelly has said other than quarterback Jayden Daniels, everyone else who was available for the final regular season game, is also available for the bowl game.

Former Saints right guard Jahri Evans is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of fame. Evans was on the Saints Super Bowl team and he also played in four Pro Bowls. Former John Ehret Star Reggie Wayne is a also a finalist for a fifth consecutive time. Wayne is also a Super Bowl champion and is the Colts all-time leader in games played as he played for 14 seasons in Indianapolis.

The Pelicans host the Utah Jazz tonight. New Orleans 17-14 and they’ve lost two in a row. The Jazz are 13 and 18, but they’ve won three in a row. Tip off from the Smoothie King Center is at 7 PM.

The Saints playoff hopes are slim as a result of losing four of their last six games. The four defeats were by eight points or less. But Quarterback Derek Carr says there’s no quit in this team….
cut 17 (21) “….going after it”
New Orleans is at Tampa Bay on Sunday. The Buccaneers have won four in a row and a win over the Saints will give them their third consecutive NFC South title. Kick-off is at noon.

Tulane’s season ended yesterday with a 41-20 loss to Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl. The Green Wave finish with an 11-and-3 record and that’s probably not good enough for them to finish ranked for a second consecutive season.

LSU is in Tampa getting ready to play Wisconsin in the Relia Quest Bowl on New Year’s Day. But multiple media outlets are reporting freshman offensive tackle Lance Heard is not there. Heard appeared in all 12 games this year and made one start. Coach Brian Kelly has said other than quarterback Jayden Daniels, everyone else who was available for the final regular season game, is also available for the bowl game.

Former Saints right guard Jahri Evans is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of fame. Evans was on the Saints Super Bowl team and he also played in four Pro Bowls. Former John Ehret Star Reggie Wayne is a also a finalist for a fifth consecutive time. Wayne is also a Super Bowl champion and is the Colts all-time leader in games played as he played for 14 seasons in Indianapolis.

The Pelicans host the Utah Jazz tonight. New Orleans 17-14 and they’ve lost two in a row. The Jazz are 13 and 18, but they’ve won three in a row. Tip off from the Smoothie King Center is at 7 PM.

The LSU Tigers are in Tampa, getting ready to face the Wisconsin Badgers in the Reliaquest Bowl on January 1st. Garrett Nussmeier will make his first collegiate start at quarterback as Jayden Daniels has opted out. Offensive tackle Emery Jones says they expect Nussmeier to hang in the pocket a little longer than Daniels…
Cut 17 (14) “…handle it.”
According to the Bengal-Tiger-on-3-dot-com, back-up offensive tackle Lance Heard did not travel with the team to Tampa. Heard appeared in all 12 games for the Tigers this season and made one start.

Brian Kelly spoke with reporters today and didn’t say anything specifically about Heard. He did say that defensive tackle Mekhi Wingo will play against the Badgers after missing the last five games of the season as a result of an injury.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Rough loss for the Pelicans last night as once again they could not make enough baskets down the stretch to win a close a game. New Orleans led by 15 points at one point, only to lose 116 to 115 in overtime. New Orleans is now 0-6 in games decided by three points or less. 12 missed free throws also proved to be costly. The Pels will try again tomorrow night against the Jazz at the Smoothie King Center.

The franchise has announced that its basketball arena will continue to be named the Smoothie King Center for many years to come as the two sides have agreed to a naming rights extension.

At Saints practice today, both Chris Olave and Cam Jordan were limited with ankle injuries. Both played in the loss last Thursday to the Rams.

Former Saints Coach Sean Payton has made a big move in Denver as he’s benched quarterback Russell Wilson. Jarrett Stidham will start the final two games as it looks like Payton and the Broncos are ready to move from the Wilson era in Denver.

The LSU Tigers are now in Tampa, getting ready to face the Wisconsin Badgers in the Reliaquest Bowl on January 1st. The Tigers are 9-3, but it’s been a tough year for the defense as LSU has struggled on that side of the football. Linebacker Greg Penn says they can set the tone for 2024 with a good performance against the Badgers…
Cut 16 (20) “…next year.”

This afternoon at 1 PM. Tulane will take on Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl. The Green wave are playing with an interim coach, Slade Nagle, plus they’ll have a new starting quarterback. Kai Horton is expected to start. Kryon Drones is a good dual QB for Virginia Tech.

____________________________________________________

For the second time this month, the Pelicans blew a chance to beat the Memphis Grizzlies. This time New Orleans had a four point lead with a minute left and ended up losing in overtime 116 to 115. The Pels had a 15 points lead and 12 missed free throws hurt.

Before the game, the Pelicans announced they renewed the stadium naming rights contract with the Smoothie King Center. Terms of the contract were not released, but Pelicans officials say the Smoothie King Center will remain the name for the foreseeable future.

The Saints are getting ready to host Tampa Bay, but the black and golld’s playoff chances are not very good. New Orleans has to win its final two games, including Sunday’s game at Tampa Bay. The Bucaneers would also need to lose in the regular season finale to the panthers. New Orleans is 11th in the NFC and the top seven make the postseason.

The Pelicans host the Memphis Grizzlies tonight as they get back to action after a couple of days off for first Christmas. New Orleans last game was Saturday, a 106 to 104 loss to the Houston Rockets. On December 13th, New Orleans hosted Memphis and blew a big halftime lead and lost to the Grizzlies. Currently, New Orleans is 17-13 and in fourth place in the Western Conference.

The LSU football team leaves today for Tampa where they’ll play Wisconsin in the Reliaquest Bowl on New Year’s Day. The Tigers will have Joe Sloan and Cortez Hankton serve as co-offensive coordinators as Mike Denbrock has left the program to rejoin the Notre Dame coaching staff.

The Saints get back to work today. They have slim playoff chances with two regular season games left. New Orleans must win its final two games, including Sunday’s home’s game against Tampa Bay and then the Black and Gold will need the Bucs to lose to Carolina in the regular season finale. Sunday’s game kicks off at noon in the Dome.

_________________________________________________________
On New Year’s Day night, New Orleans will host a College football playoff semifinal game as Texas will battle Washington.

Next year the college football playoff will expand to 12 teams and for the first two years of the new format, the Sugar Bowl will be a quarterfinal game. So it’s unknown when New Orleans will next host a college football national championship or semifinal game. Sugar Bowl CEO Jeff Hundley says the Sugar Bowl is working hard to land a final four match-up or national title game…
Cut 14 (14) “…we’re at.”
The other semifinal matchup is Alabama versus Michigan in the Rose Bowl.

Lafayette Christian quarterback JuJuan Joseph has been named the Class Four-A most outstanding player of the year. The LSU signee threw for 3,597 yards and 41 touchdowns and rushed for 1,497 yards and 25 scores. Evangel defensive end Gabriel Reliford, also an LSU signee, is the defneisve player of the year. After leading Opelousas to its first state championship, Jimmy Zachery is the Class 4a Coach of the year.

The Saints’ playoff hopes took an even bigger hit on Sunday as Tampa Bay trounced Jacksonville 30-12. So for New Orleans to win the NFC South and get in the playoffs, they’ll have to beat the Buccaneers this Sunday and hope Tampa loses to Carolina in the regular season finale.

With the Saints on the verge of missing the playoffs, many in Who Dat Nation are hoping for a change at head coach. Jeff Palermo has more…
cut 1 (30) “…I’m Jeff Palermo

The LSU Tigers will leave tomorrow for Tampa to continue their preparations for the bowl game against Wisconsin on New Year’s Day. Garrett Nussmeier will make his first at quarterback.

Nussmeier has appeared in 17 games during his LSU career. He played the second half of the 2022 SEC Championship game because of an injury to Jayden Daniels. He played nearly the entire game as a freshman in 2021 in a loss to Arkansas. Nussmeier says he’s a more mature player now and gives a lot of credit to quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan…
cut 17 (21) “…in this offense
Sloan and Cortez Hankton will serve as co-offensive coordinators in the bowl game as Mike Denbrock has left to for his third stint as an assistant at Notre Dame.

After a two-year successful run as LSU’s offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is heading back to Notre Dame. A reason on why Denbrock is leaving the Tigers has not been given. But we know that the Michigan native will be coaching closer to home, has a good relationship with Notre Dame Coach Marcus Freeman and you can bet money is also part of the equation.

This will be Denbrock’s third stint as an assistant coach at Notre Dame.

Denbrock’s departure is a big loss for LSU. Tiger Rag assistant editor William Weathers says Denbrock helped develop quarterback Jayden Daniels into a Heisman Trophy winner and he guided an offense that leads the nation in scoring…
cut 13 (13) “…to gold”
Denbrock was a finalist this past season for the Broyles Award, which goes to the nation’s top assistant coach.

The Saints playoff chances took a major hit Thursday night as New Orleans lost to the Los Angeles Rams 30-22. The loss drops the Black and Gold’s record to seven and eight and according to ESPN Analytics, the Saints have a 24-percent chance to make the playoffs. Coach Dennis Allen…
cut 20 (11) “…play Tampa”
Tampa Bay leads the Saints by a half game for first place in the NFC South. The Buccaneers are home to face the Jacksonville Jaguars and then New Orleans will visit the Bucs on New Year’s eve. The Saints end the season by hosting the Falcons.

Calvary Baptist Quarterback Abram Wardell has been named the Class 2A offensive player of the year. The junior threw for 3,883 yards, 45 touchdowns and just two interceptions as he led the Cavaliers to a division three select state championship.

Calvary’s Rodney Guin is the Coach of the Year.

Sources say LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock is leaving after two seasons in Baton Rouge to return to Notre Dame to be the offensive coordinator for the Fighting Irish. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor William Weathers says Denbrock is from the Midwest and that could be a reason why he’s going back to South Bend…
cut 12 (09) “…his career”
This will be Denbrock’s third stint as an assistant coach at Notre Dame.

An LSU spokesperson says quarterbacks coach Joe Sloan and wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton will serve as co-offensive coordinators against Wisconsin on New Year’s Day.

Garrett Nussmeier will be making his first collegiate start at quarterback. 2020 was the last time Nussmeier started a football game and that was at Marcus High School in Flower Mound, Texas…
cut 16 (14) “…focused on”

The Saints were a disappointment last night as they lost to the Los Angeles Rams 30-22. A defeat that’s a blow to their playoff chances. The defense once again got off to a slow start and the offense was not much better. Coach Dennis Allen’s team failed to capitalize on some scoring opportunities in the first half…
cut 29 (12) “…Tampa Bay”
New Orleans is 7-8 and will likely need to win their final two games for a chance at the playoffs. They are a half game back of the Buccaneers. Tampa hosts Jacksonville this Sunday and then the Saints on New Year’s Eve.

Zion Williamson did not play last night because of an illness, but Trey Murphy stepped up and scored a season-high 28 points as the Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers in Cleveland 123 to 104. New Orleans is now 17-12 on the season and will Houston on Saturday.

LSU men’s basketball beat Lamar last night 87 to 66.

The Saints playoff chances received a huge blow last night as New Orleans could not keep up with a surging Rams team, losing in Los Angeles 30-22. The game was not as close as the score indicates. The Black and Gold trailed 30-7 before scoring a couple of touchdowns in the fourth quarter.

It was another slow start for the defense, giving up a 95-yard scoring drive on L-A’s first possession. And the Saints offense only rushed for 35 yards and they were 0-for-3 on fourth down. Coach Dennis Allen…
cut 19 (13) “…offensively”
And the Saints are missing an opportunity to win the NFC South. The loss drops their record to 7-8, a half game back of Tampa Bay, who hosts Jacksonville on Sunday. New Orleans next game is in Tampa on New Year’s eve.

LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier is preparing to make his first start at quarterback for the Tigers when they face Wisconsin in the ReliaQuest Bowl on New Year’s Day. During the offseason, Nussmeier will battle with Vanderbilt transfer AJ Swann for starting quarterback in 2024. Nuss says he doesn’t feel pressure to make a statement on New Year’s Day..
Cut 18 (17) “…I’m excited”
There’s a chance LSU could lose offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish are reportedly interested in bringing Denbrock back for a third time. LSU and Denbrock have discussed a three-year contract extension, but the LSU Board of Supervisors has yet to approve.

In basketball…Trey Murphy had a season-high 28 points as the Pelicans defeated the Cavaliers 123 to 104 last night. Jalen Cook had 17 points, Carlos Stewart added 16 and LSU defeated Lamar 87-66.

The Saints and Rams face each other tonight in Los Angeles. Both teams have a record of 7-and-7 and fighting for a playoff spot in the NFC. The Rams have won four of their last five and quarterback Matthew Stafford is playing well. New Orleans defensive end Cam Jordan on tonight’s matchup…
cut 18 (17) “….create some problems”
Kick-off is at 7:15.

Also tonight…the Pelicans are at Cleveland. Both teams have identical records at 16-12. New Orleans would like to erase Tuesday’s loss to Memphis where they gave up a big second-half lead in a two-point defeat to the Grizzlies.

LSU men’s basketball also hosts Lamar tonight. The Tigers are 6-and-5, while the Cardinals are 5-and-6.

Last night, the seventh-ranked Lady Tigers took down Coppin State 80-48. The game was played in Angel Reese’s hometown and the Bayou Barbie scored 26 points in front of a sold-out crowd.

After the game head coach Kim Mulkey talked about playing a game next season in Tiger Stadium, but there are a lot of hoops to go through…
Cut 12 (14) “…court down there.”
Mulkey says if they could play in Tiger Stadium in front of tens of thousands of fans, she would like Southern to be the opponent and the proceeds would help pay for NIL deals for Southern athletes.

Notre Dame is reportedly interested in hiring LSU offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock to be the Fighting Irish’s new play-caller. LSU is looking to lock up Denbrock and sign him to a three-year contract extension, but the deal has not been approved by the LSU Board of Supervisors.