Green Bay beat the Titans last night, but New Orleans still has a chance to earn the number one seed in the NFC playoffs. For that to happen, the Saints will need to beat Carolina on Sunday in the regular season finale, the Bears would need to defeat the Packers and Seattle would have to knock off the 49ers, which would set up a three-way tie for first place in the NFC. The Saints would win the tie breaker under that scenario. If Green Bay defeats Chicago then the Saints will miss out on the top seed.

The New Orleans Pelicans won their home opener as they defeated the San Antonio Spurs 98-95 last night. Brandon Ingram continued his strong start as he scored 28 points.

The Ragin Cajuns wrapped up a second straight double digit win season on Saturday as U-L Lafayette held off Texas San Antonio 31-24 in the SERVPro First Responder Bowl in Dallas. Elijah Mitchell rushed for 127 yards on 19 carries and a touchdown.
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At the Prep Football Classic in Natchitoches, Catholic High of Baton Rouge won its third state championship in six years as the Bears defeated Byrd 35-12. Landon O’ Connor rushed for two touchdowns, while freshman QB Daniel Beale tossed two touchdown passes.

Many won its first state title since 2014 with a 16-13 win over Kinder. Tylen Singleton’s 23 yard interception return for a touchdown in the 4th quarter was the winning score.

Today at 11 AM it’s the Class 1A state championship game between Grand Lake and Oak Grove. Grand Lake is in Cameron Parish and trying to win the school’s first title despite two devastating hurricanes. Grand Lake Coach Jeff Wainwright says the team has been an inspiration and escape for Cameron Parish residents…
cut 14 (12) “…cheering go”
Oak Grove is the defending one-a champs.

The Pelicans dropped to 1-1 on the season as they lost to Miami 111-98 today. New Orleans trailed by 13 points at halftime but were unable to come back. Zion Williamson had 32 points and 14 rebounds and Brandon Ingram had 28 points, but they didn’t get much help. Josh Hart was the only other double-digit scorer as he had 12 points. New Orleans will host San Antonio on Sunday for its home opener.

The LSU men’s basketball team returns to the court tomorrow for its first game in nearly two weeks as they’ll host Nicholls State. Since beating Sam Houston State, the Tigers have had three games postponed or canceled because of COVID-19. The Bayou Bengals were scheduled to take on Texas Southern tomorrow, but T-S-U can’t play because of COVID issues. The Colonels are also coming off a long lay off as they haven’t played in 25 days. Tip-off is at 1 PM.
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The Ragin Cajuns go after their tenth win of the season Saturday when they take on Texas San Antonio in the Servpro First Responder Bowl in Dallas. U-L Lafayette enters the game as co-champs of the Sun Belt. They were disappointed the conference title game was canceled because of COVID issues with Coastal Carolina, but Coach Billy Napier says his team is now focused on winning this bowl game…
Cut 14 (14) “…right way”
Kick-off is at 2:30 on A-B-C.

Glen Guilbeau for the USA Today Network reports that Cincinnati defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman has emerged as Coach Ed Orgeron’s top choice to replace Bo Pelini as defensive coordinator. The Bearkats are undefeated and ranked 11th in the nation in total defense. Former Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason has also been contacted.

The Saints look to win the NFC South today and avoid a three-game losing streak when they host the Vikings for a 3:30 kick-off. Minnesota is 6-8 and need a win to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Saints Safety Malcolm Jenkins…
cut 12 (08) “…A-game
New Orleans has lost to the Vikings twice in the playoffs in recent history, both times Minnesota won on the final play.

The Pelicans are also in action today as they face the reigning Eastern Conference Champion Miami Heat. New Orleans looks to build off a season-opening win over the Raptors, while the Heat lost its season opener to the Magic. In the season-opening win versus Toronto, Brandon Ingram had 24 points and 11 assists, while Zion Williamson had 15 points and ten rebounds.

LSU basketball has scheduled a game versus Nicholls at 1 PM.

Glen Guilbeau for the USA Today Network reports that Cincincinnati defensive coordinator Marcus Freeman has emerged as Coach Ed Orgeron’s top choice to replace Bo Pelini as defensive coordinator. The Bearkats are undefeated and rank 11th in the nation in total defense. Former Vanderbilt coach Derek Mason has also been contacted.

The Ragin Cajuns will face U-T-S-A tomorrow in the Servpro First Responder Bowl in Dallas. The Roadrunners feature the Conference USA Player of the Year in Sincere McCormick, who has rushed for 13-hundred yards. Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says they must slow down McCormick…
cut 15 (15) “….success”
A win for the Cajuns gives them ten for the season. Kick-off is at 2:30 on A-B-C.

ULM has named Terry Bowden as its new head football coach. Bowden, the son of legendary Florida State coach Bobby Bowden, has won 175 games in 25 seasons as a collegiate coach and had a very successful six year run at Auburn, before it fell apart in 1998. Bowden returned to coaching in 2009 and won 29 games in three seasons at North Alabama. In 2012, he went to Akron and produced one winning season in sevens years at the MAC school. The last two seasons, Bowden has served as a Graduate Assistant at Clemson…
cut 28 (28) “…national championship”
Bowden takes over a program that failed to win a game this past season.

The Pelicans begin a new season tonight as they face the Raptors in Tampa which is the temporary home this season for the Toronto-based franchise. New Orleans fans are excited about Zion Williamson’s second season in the NBA and Williamson is predicting it will be a good one…
Cut 16 (20) “…we’ll figure it out.”
Tip-off is at 6:30.

In college basketball…Louisiana Tech defeated ULM for a second time this season as the Bulldogs defeated ULM 68-57. Cobe Williams and Kalob Ledoux each had 13 points for the Bulldogs who are 7-and-2. The Warhawks fell to 2-and-5.

Northwestern State scored 61 points in the second half but still lost to top-ranked Gonzaga for a second straight night 95-78. Jairus Roberson had 15 points for the Demons.

Former Auburn Coach Terry Bowden will reportedly become the next head football coach at U-L-M. Bowden coached at Auburn from 1993 to 1998, winning 47 games in six seasons. . Monroe News-Star sports reporter Adam Hunsucker says it’s a surprise to see the Warhawks hire a 64-year-old coach…
Cut 9 (12) “..weekend came.”
Bowden also had a successful three-year stint at North Alabama. His last head coaching job was at Akron where he went 32-and-52 in seven seasons. Akron fired Bowden after the 2018 season.

LSU has announced offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and defensive line coach Bill Johnson are retiring as on-field coaches and they will become analysts. So now Coach Ed Orgeron has to find both an offensive and defensive coordinator.

Louisiana Tech is seeking a seventh straight bowl victory when it takes on Georgia Southern in the R-and-L Carriers New Orleans Bowl this afternoon. Aaron Allen will make his first start at quarterback since the season opener. Coach Skip Holtz says they are not asking Allen to be a hero…
Cut 18 (18) “…gives you.”

Pelican fans are expecting big things from Zion Williamson as he begins his second NBA season tonight as New Orleans tips off a new season in Tampa against the Raptors. Williamson says getting into the playoffs is the goal…
Cut 16 (20) “…we’ll figure it out.”

LSU has announced offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger and defensive line coach Bill Johnson are retiring as on field coaches and they will become analysts. So now Coach Ed Orgeron has to find both an offensive and defensive coordinator.

Tulane freshman Quarterback Michael Pratt threw three interceptions and the Green Wave lost to Nevada 38-28 in the Idaho Potato Bowl.

Louisiana Tech faces Georgia Southern this afternoon in the New Orleans Bowl. Tech has a 5-4 record, while Georgia Southern is 7-5. The Eagles run a triple-option offense and Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says it’s not easy to get ready for the running attack
Cut 19 (19) “…backside.”
Kick-off is at 2 PM.

The Pelicans begin a new season tonight as they face the Raptors in Tampa which is the temporary home this season for the Toronto-based franchise. New Orleans fans are excited about Zion Williamson’s second season in the NBA and Williamson is predicting it will be a good one…
Cut 16 (20) “…we’ll figure it out.”
Tip-off is at 6:30.

In college basketball…Louisiana Tech defeated ULM for a second time this season as the Bulldogs defeated ULM 68-57. Cobe Williams and Kalob Ledoux each had 13 points for the Bulldogs who are 7-and-2. The Warhawks fell to 2-and-5.

Northwestern State scored 61 points in the second half but still lost to top-ranked Gonzaga for a second straight night 95-78. Jairus Roberson had 15 points for the Demons.

Bo Pelini is out as defensive coordinator. LSU announced last night that Pelini and the school have mutually parted ways with two years left on his contract, which puts his buyout at five-point-two million dollars. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says financial resources might be tight as Coach Ed Orgeron looks for a new defensive coordinator
Cut 4 (10 ) “.which happens”
The athletic department has reported an 80-million dollar loss in revenue due to the pandemic.

Pelini will not be the only coaching change. LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger is reportedly retiring as an on-field coach and will be re-assigned to another position on staff.

Defensive line coach Bill Johnson is also retiring and will become an analyst as well.

A new NBA season tips off tonight as the Nets host the Warriors, while the Clippers are at the Lakers. The Pelicans begin their season tomorrow against the Raptors as that game will be played in Tampa. The temporary home for the Tortonto-based franchise.

But the big story is Zion Williamson beginning his second season in the NBA. Williamson reportedly dropped 25 pounds in the offseason as the number one pick was limited during his rookie season because of a knee injury and conditioning. Williamson says he feels more comfortable this year…
cut 17 (17) “…ready to go”

In college hoopes tonight. Louisiana Tech is at ULM. the Bulldogs beat the Warhawks by earlier this month. Northwestern State faces top ranked Gonzaga again tonight after losing to the Zags last night 95-57.

After a historically bad season for LSU’s defense, Bo Pelini is out as LSU’s defensive coordinator. Pelini still had two years left on his contract and based on his contract, he’ll get five-point-two million dollars to not coach at LSU. Other members of LSU’s coaching staff are also reportedly out, Bill Busch, Bill Johnson and Scott Linehan.

Cajuns Coach Billy Napier has reportedly received interest from Auburn, but the school says Napier is committed to being the coach at U-L Lafayette.

Tulane will face a 6-and-2 Nevada Wolfpack team today in the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl at 2:30 PM in Boise. The Wolfpack finished third in the Mountain West Conference after starting the season 5-0. They rank second in the Mountain West in passing and Green Wave Coach Willie Fritz says Nevada will challenge their defense…
cut 18 (16) “…down field”

Tuesday is usually an off day for the Saints, but with New Orleans hosting Minnesota on Friday, the team will spend today getting ready for the Vikings. Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs was the second in a row for the Black and Gold. Quarterback Drew Brees says winning the final two games of the regular season is important as they look to build up momentum heading into the postseason…
cut 17 (26) “…playoffs”

The NBA season tips off tonight. The Pelicans season opener is tomorrow versus the Raptors. Northwestern State lost to top-ranked Gonzaga 95-57 last night. LSU’s basketball game tonight versus V-C-U has been canceled, but the Tigers will host Texas Southern on Saturday, who is led by former LSU head coach and player Johnny Jones.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees and the offense got off to a slow start in yesterday’s 32-29 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Brees did not complete a pass until the second quarter. He was just 15 of 34 on the day and the future Hall of Famer has confidence they’ll play better this Friday against Minnesota…
cut 20 (21) “….to that”
Brees and the Saints will host Minnesota on Christmas. The Vikings lost to the Bears yesterday and must win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.

For the second time this month Ragin Cajuns Coach Billy Napier released a statement saying he’s staying at U-L Lafayette. Napier’s name has come up in the search for a new Auburn coach.

Clemson and Notre Dame will face off in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans on New Year’s Day night. The other semifinal college football playoff matchup is Alabama against Notre Dame. That will be the Rose Bowl but it will be played in Arlington, Texas.

The Independence Bowl will not be held this Saturday as the Shreveport-based bowl could not find an opponent for Army who accepted a bid in October. The Black Knights were supposed to play a team from the Pac-12, but several of their schools opted out of the postseason and Indy Bowl spokesperson Erik Evenson they couldn’t find a school from another conference…
cut 5 (11) “…slots”

In college basketball…tonight Northwestern State takes its shot at number one ranked Gonzaga. LSU basketball will not host V-C-U because of COVID tomorrow, but they have scheduled a game for Saturday against Texas Southern, who is led by former LSU coach and player Johnny Jones.