The media at SEC Media Days picked Alabama to win the SEC West over LSU. Tiger Rag Editor Todd Horne says disagrees with the choice as he believes LSU is the better team and they’ve shown in the past they can win at Alabama…
Cut 13 (09) “…in Tiger Stadium.”
Eleven LSU Tigers are on the preseason All-SEC team, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels who is on the first-team.

One of the storylines for SEC Media Days was Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin expressing his concern over the current state of college football, because of loose regulations when it comes to NIL and the transfer portal. Kiffin says the best players are going to schools that have boosters with the deepest pockets….
cut 18 (09) “…their salary”

The media that covers Conference USA predicts Louisiana Tech will finish in fourth place in the nine-team league. Western Kentucky is the preseason favorite, followed by Liberty, Middle Tennessee and then the Bulldogs. Five Tech players are on the preseason watch list, offensive lineman Carson Bruno, defensive lineman Deshon Hall, wide receiver and returner Smoke Harris, defensive back Willie Roberts and offensive lineman Abe Delfin.

The reigning Southland Conference Champion Southeastern Louisiana Lions placed a league-high 17 players on the preseason all conference football teams. The Lions top two quarterbacks on their roster were first and second teams selections. Zachary Clement was a first-team selection as the former Lafayette Christian star has transferred in from Northwestern State. Eli Sawyer was the second team choice.

The SEC Media preseason poll picks Alabama to win the SEC West. It was a close vote between the Crimson Tide and LSU. Bama received 1,899 points, while LSU received 1,838. Georgia is the preseason favorite to win the SEC for a second consecutive year.

Only nine times since 1992 did the media at SEC Media Days correctly pick the team that ended up winning the SEC Title.

Eleven LSU Tigers made the preseason All-SEC team, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels who is a first-team selection, ahead of Arkansas’ K-J Jefferson and Tennessee’s Joe Milton.

Also landing on the first team from LSU, Malik Nabers, Will Campbell, Mekhi Wingo, Maason Smith and Harold Perkins.

Tight end Mason Taylor is a second team selection and offensive tackle Emery Jones and safety Major Burns are third team selections.

Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin held his “State of the Union” address at SEC Media Days. He criticized the issues with the current NIL and transfer portal models which he says are bad for college football. While he has no problem with players getting paid and has utilized the transfer portal himself, Kiffin says he knew it would turn into a disaster when NIL and the portal became a major part of college athletics. He says it legalized cheating…
Cut 19 (16) “…pay for play”

The NFL has issued a cease and desist order to New Orleans apparel brand DNO. The order claims brand’s staple, “Defend New Orleans” logo infringes on a league-owned trademark. The logo features a spiked skull wearing a fleur-de-lis DNO founder Jac Currie has been selling since 2003. Currie’s attorney argues the NFL has no claim to the logo to its historical significance to New Orleans. This is a battle the league has fought and lost before. In 2010 the NFL issued a similar order to local vendors before former Attorney General Buddy Caldwell had the league stand down. Currie plans to fight the order.

Ole Miss Coach Lane Kiffin did not hold back at SEC Media Days when discussing the problems NIL and the transfer portal have created for college football. He called it a disaster. He says there needs to be more restrictions when it comes to the two transfer portal windows. He says no other sport allows its athletes to opt into free agency every year…:
Cut 17 (20) “issues”

LSU’s starting shortstop for the last three seasons is not coming back. Jordan Thompson announced on Instagram he’s signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers drafted Thompson in the 15th round in the Major League Baseball Draft. South Carolina transfer Michael Braswell is a candidate to replace Thompson at short.

Next year, Texas will join the SEC, and Volunteers Coach Josh Heupel made it known at SEC Media Days Thursday that there’s only one real U-T and one right shade of orange. Tennessee will not play the Longhorns next season, but they will have to make a trip to Oklahoma.

The New Orleans Saints announced Tight end Miller Forristall has been moved to the Physically Unable to Perform list, while center Billy Price has had his contract terminated with a non-football injury designation. Veterans with injury designations were scheduled to report Thursday, marking a potentially positive sign that key players such as Michael Thomas avoided the PUP list to this point. The entire Saints roster is set to begin first camp practice Wednesday morning in Metairie.

Tickets for the Sugar Bowl’s “Country Kickoff” to the college football season concert featuring Garth Brooks on September 2nd in the Superdome go on sale this morning at 10am. Fans are encouraged to log on to Ticketmaster beforehand to make sure their account is ready to go to avoid delays in getting your tickets once they are available. All tickets are $98.95.

LSU’s starting shortstop the last three seasons is not coming back. Jordan Thompson announced on Instagram he’s signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers drafted Thompson in the 15th round in the Major League Baseball Draft. Since he was drafted so late there was speculation he may return to LSU. But the Southern California native thought it was best to turn pro. South Carolina transfer Michael Braswell is a candidate to replace Thompson at short.

Former LSU pitchers Blake Money and Riley Cooper have signed with the Orioles. Baltimore selected them in the 12th and 13th rounds respectively.

SEC Network analyst Roman Harper believes Arkansas Quarterback K-J Jefferson is the best quarterback in the SEC. Razorbacks coach Sam Pittman agrees…
cut 18 (19) “…for a reason”
LSU hosts Arkansas September 23rd.

LSU has played Florida in early October for years, but this year the game will take place on November 11th in Baton Rouge. The Gators head into the season without a starting quarterback named. Second year head coach Billy Napier says he’s been impressed with redshirt sophomore Jack Miller…
cut 19 (18) “…..the team”
Graham Mertz is also involved in this quarterback battle. He transferred in from Wisconsin.

Next year, Texas will join the SEC, and Volunteers Coach Josh Heupel made it known today that there’s only one real U-T and one right shade of orange. Tennessee will not play the Longhorns next season, but they will have to make a trip to Oklahoma.

Florida Head Coach Billy Napier spoke at SEC Media Days yesterday about the Gators quarterback situation. After Anthony Richardson was picked fourth overall, Florida brought in Wisconsin transfer Graham Mertz to compete with returning redshirt sophomore Jack Miller. Napier was impressed by Mertz’s work ethic and maturity but says Miller had a strong response…

Cut 19 (18) “…the team.” 

Napier went 6-7 in his first season with Florida. He’ll look to avoid making it three straight losing seasons in Gainesville this year for the first time since 1955. The Gators head to Baton Rouge November 11.

SEC Media Days will wrap up today with Ole Miss, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Former LSU Tennis star Neal Skupski and his partner Wesley Koolhof claimed the 2023 Wimbledon doubles title. It’s the pair’s first major victory who started together just 18 months ago. Although its Skupski’s first major in men’s doubles, the Liverpool native won back-to-back mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon alongside partner Desirae Krawczyk in 2021 and 2022. Skupski, though, says this one means a little more…

Cut 8 (13) “…world to us.’”

Skupski represented the purple and gold for four years, earning ITA Doubles All-American honors twice. He becomes just the second Tiger to claim a men’s doubles major title.

Saints second round pick Isaiah Foskey has finally signed his rookie contract with the team. The Notre Dame defensive end agreed to a 4-year rookie deal meaning all seven of the Saints’ picks are under contract. Rookies reported for training camp on July 18 and veterans will report next week on the 25.

Alabama was one of the schools featured at SEC Media Days yesterday. Coach Nick Saban and his team will look to return to their championship pedigree after missing the College Football Playoffs for the first time since 2019 and just the second time in the CFP era. The first order of business will be replacing Heisman winning quarterback Bryce Young, but Saban says he’s in no hurry…:
Cut 17 (18) “to rush”
He compared the search to waiting for his grandma’s cake to be ready in the oven. Later asked his favorite flavor cake, Saban said carrot cake. LSU will visit Tuscaloosa on November 4th.

Also taking the podium in Nashville at SEC Media Days was Arkansas Head Coach Sam Pittman. In a seemingly off-year for the quarterback position in the SEC, the Razorbacks boast one of the most talented in the conference in returning senior KJ Jefferson. Pittman says Jefferson’s role under new offensive coordinator Dan Enos may change slightly, but he’ll be essential to the Razorbacks’ success…:
Cut 18 (19) “for a reason”
Arkansas will visit Death Valley September 23.

LSU Fighting Tigers Women’s Basketball star Angel Reese is among seven college athletes hand-picked by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to promote Johnson’s energy drink, ZOA.

LSU Catcher Alex Milazzo told Tiger Rag radio last night that he plans to suit up for the Purple and Gold one last time. Milazzo appeared in 53 games last season before fracturing his fibula in the final game of the championship series, but the Zachary native says he’s not done yet

Cut 12 (13) “…play here.” 

The SEC’s single-season strikeout leader has etched his name in the record books yet again. After being selected No. 1 overall in the MLB draft, LSU pitcher Paul Skenes agreed to a deal with the Pirates that includes a $9.2 million signing bonus, the highest for a draft pick in MLB history. Skenes says signing the deal didn’t take much convincing…

Cut  14 (10)  “..to take”

SEC Media Days in Nashville continued with Nick Saban and Alabama today. The Crimson Tide have one of the least experienced rosters in the SEC with only 9 starters returning. The first issue the Tide will have to address is losing Heisman winning quarterback Bryce Young. It’s a three horse race for the job, but Saban says he’s in no rush to name a starter…

Cut 20 (24) “…separates themselves.”

Many believe the three candidates to be junior Jalen Milroe, redshirt freshman Ty Simpson, or redshirt sophomore Tyler Buchner. LSU will visit Tuscaloosa November 4^th. Also featured in Nashville today were Arkansas, Florida, and Kentucky.

Catcher Hayden Travinski announced he plans to return to LSU next season for his final year of eligibility after going undrafted in this year’s MLB draft. The Shreveport native played in 41 games this season batting .356 with 30 RBI and 10 home runs. He’ll join catcher Alex Milazzo who also announced his return to Baton Rouge on Tiger Rag Radio Tuesday night. Milazzo, who’s spent the last four years at LSU started 25 games last year and appeared in 53. They’ll join sophomore Brady Neal who started 26 games last season.

New Mississippi State Head Coach Zach Arnett got the chance to speak to reporters at SEC Media Days yesterday. While the Bulldogs may be experiencing some major coaching changes, Arnett says they have many returning starters this year including the top two tacklers in the SEC, linebackers Jett Johnson and Nathaniel Watson…

Cut 20 (14)  “…they didn’t”  

LSU opens SEC play in Starkville September 16^th.

After setting the SEC single-season strikeout record, LSU Pitcher Paul Skenes isn’t done yet. The first overall pick has agreed to a $9.2 million dollar deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates making him the highest paid MLB draft pick ever. He passes the mark previously set by 2020 top pick Spencer Torkelson who inked an $8.4 million deal with the Tigers. Skenes will begin his pro career in the Florida Complex League.

First year auburn Head Coach Hugh Freeze spoke to media about his plans to turn the program around after two losing seasons. The first step for Freeze has been in recruiting, adding 42 new players to the roster since last season ended. Freeze says the resource at Auburn have made recruiting easy, but he doesn’t underestimate the challenge of coaching a new roster…

Cut 18 (17) “…to this” 

LSU will host Auburn October 14^th.

After an All-American season where he helped guide LSU baseball to the NCAA Championship, it’s no surprise that pitcher Paul Skenes has inked a massive rookie contract. The No. 1 overall pick in the MLB Draft signed a record contract with the Pittsburg Pirates, a $9.2 million dollar signing bonus.

From film study to Moneyball, sports analysis is always changing, and LSU Coach Brian Kelly says AI could be the next step in LSU’s recruiting process. Kace Kieschnick has more…:
Cut 21 (33) “….I’m Kace Kieschnick”

After hearing from LSU Monday at SEC Media Days, New Auburn Head Coach Hugh Freeze spoke yesterday. He says he’s hoping to rebuild the Auburn program after two losing seasons, but it starts with one position…:
CUT 17 (20) “that spot”

Mississippi State’s new Head Coach Zach Arnett also took the podium Tuesday. The Bulldog’s former defensive coordinator has the tall task of replacing the late Mike Leach who was known for his iconic Air Raid offense. Arnett says new coordinator Kevin Barbay brings a different approach…:
Cut 19 (21) “what they do”

The LSU offense is poised to be one of the best in the SEC this year with many of its key players returning including the entire offensive line. Fifth-year senior quarterback Jayden Daniels may have a season under his belt and Heisman aspirations, but Coach Brian Kelly says that doesn’t mean he can relax now with sophomore Garret Nussmeier getting better every day…

Cut 16

Nussmeier went 11-of-15 for 173 yards and two touchdowns in LSU’s 63-7 Citrus Bowl victory last year.

LSU Catcher Hayden Travinski announced he’ll be returning to LSU for his final season of eligibility after going undrafted in the MLB draft. Travinski exploded offensively late into the season batting .356 on the year with 30 RBI and 10 homers. He’ll join fellow catcher Alex Milazzo who is also expected to return after suffering an injury during the final game of the championship series against Florida.

Auburn was one of four teams to be featured at the SEC Media Day in Nashville today. First-year coach Hugh Freeze spoke to reporters about the challenges of rebuilding a football program as he has at Arkansas St, Ole Miss, and Liberty. With 42 new players on this year’s roster, Freeze says it all starts with one position…

Cut 17

LSU Pitcher and No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes signed a contract with the pirates that includes a record-setting $9.2 million signing bonus. The deal breaks the record previously set by 2020 top pick Spencer Torkelson and the Detroit Tigers. Skenes will begin his pro career at the Florida complex League in Bradenton. 2^nd overall pick Dylan Crews has yet to ink a deal.