After back-to-back years of heartbreaking losses in the playoffs, the Saints believe they are mentally tough enough to win three postseason games this year to reach the Super Bowl in Miami. Quarterback Drew Brees says putting those disappointing playoff losses behind and getting back to the postseason says a lot about this team…
Cut 16 (19) …all of us”

After losing in last year’s Sugar Bowl, Georgia returned to the Superdome last night and beat Baylor 26 to 14. Minnesota beat Auburn 31-24, and Alabama defeated Michigan 35-16. Tide Q-B Tua Tagolivoa will announce on Monday if he’ll return for his senior season.

Northwestern State University has established a scholarship in memory of sports-journalist and alumna Carley McCord, who was tragically killed in a plane crash along with four others last Saturday. McCord family friend Danielle Cobb says Carley always made an impression wherever she went.
Cut 13 (12) “…to do”
To make a donation go to Northwestern State-alumni-dot-com-slash-donations.

Former U-L Lafayette athletics director David Walker has passed away. He guided the university from 2005 to 2010, securing a two-million-dollar donation from Cox Communications, hiring current basketball coach Bob Marlin and firing Rickey Bustle, which led to the hiring of Mark Hudspeth as the football coach.

And the NBA is mourning the death of former commissioner David Stern. Stern was vital in bringing and keeping NBA basketball in New Orleans.

The N-F-L Network reports that if Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale gets a job as a head coach, his top choice as offensive coordinator is LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady. But LSU Coach Ed Orgeron remains confident Brady will stay in Baton Rouge once a new contract is finalized…
Cut 6 (10) “…LSU”
Orgeron also says senior linebacker Michael Divinity will play in the National Championship game against Clemson.

La Tech basketball had an impressive win last night to open up Conference USA play. The Bulldogs slammed Southern Miss 80 to 49. De Quan Bracey had 17 points. Kaleb Ledoux had 15 points off the bench and hit three-three points. Tech faces Southern Miss again on Saturday in Ruston.

Instead of winning two games, the Saints will have to win three to get to the Super Bowl in Miami. Who Dat nation is disappointed their team did not get a first-round bye, but Coach Sean Payton is excited about their match-up on Sunday against the Minnesota Vikings…
Cut 16 (18) …for Sunday”
The Saints return to the practice field tomorrow.

National Transportation Safety Board Vice Chairman Bruce Landsberg says they hope to release a preliminary report in two weeks on last Saturday’s fatal plane crash that killed sports reporter Carley McCord, but the investigation will last much longer than that…
cut 15 (10) “…we need”
The N-T-S-B has video of the crash and they ask for anyone with audio of the plane as it was going down to come forward.

The Saints are off today, but tomorrow the players will return and get to work on getting ready for Sunday’s playoff game against the Minnesota Vikings. After giving up 48 points in a loss to San Francisco on December 8th, the Saints have allowed just 45 points in their last three games. Linebacker A-J Klein says there’s still room for improvement…
cut 18 (20) all right”
Minnesota is 16th in the N-F-L in total offense and eighth in scoring, putting up 25 points a game. They rank sixth in rushing offense and led by third-year running back Dalvin Cook who rushed for 11-hundred yards and 13 touchdowns, but missed the last two games because of a shoulder injury.

LSU Head Football Coach Ed Orgeron said today that senior linebacker Michael Divinity will play in the national championship game against Clemson. Divinity has been suspended for half of the season, missing seven games for violating team rules. He joins a defense that’s playing great football. On Saturday the Tigers held Oklahoma to 97 yards rushing.

Louisiana Tech is reportedly losing both of its offensive and defensive coordinators. Yahoo Sports reporter Pete Thamel reports defensive coordinator Bob Diaco is heading to Purdue for the same job, while Todd Fitch will serve as the new offensive coordinator at Vanderbilt.

Louisiana Tech shot 46-percent from three-point land as the Bulldogs routed Southern Miss 80-49 in last night’s Conference USA opener in Hattiesburg. The Dunkin Dogs forced 17 turnovers and turned them into 26 points. The 31-point victory was the largest CUSA road win for Tech. The Bulldogs will face Southern Miss again on Saturday in Ruston.

After three consecutive 7-and-9 seasons, the Saints are preparing to play in a playoff game for a third consecutive year. Coach Sean Payton says this year’s squad dealt with more adversity…
cut 17 (19) “…would be the comparison”
The Saints will host the 10-and-6 Vikings at noon on Sunday. New Orleans is an eight-point favorite. For the Vikings to have a chance, they will need a healthy Dalvin Cook. The running back has been out with a shoulder injury.

The N-F-L Network reports that if Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale gets a job as a head coach, his top choice as offensive coordinator is LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady.

Yahoo Sports National College Football reporter Pete Thamel is reporting Louisiana Tech will lose its offensive and defensive coordinators. Thamel tweets that offensive coordinator Todd Fitch is finalizing a deal to be next O-C at Vanderbilt. And Tech D-C Bob Diaco is heading to Purdue. The Bulldogs had the second-best red zone defense in the country.

Louisiana Tech basketball opened Conference USA play last night with an 80-49 victory over Southern Miss. It’s the Bulldogs biggest win over the Golden Eagles since 1972 and it’s the biggest Conference USA road win in program history. DaQuan Bracey had 17 points.

The Pelicans have won four in a row and Brandon Ingram has been named the Western Conference Player of the Week. During the win streak, Ingram averaged 25 points a game. Also, Lonzo Ball is now getting credit for a triple-double in Sunday’s win over Houston. Ball was credited with two more assists than what the box score originally showed.

Despite a 13-and-3 record, the Saints will not have a bye in the playoffs. Because Green Bay and San Francisco both won yesterday, New Orleans will host Minnesota on Sunday in the wild card round. After yesterday’s 42-10 win over Carolina, Coach Sean Payton says they are not sweating it…
cut 28 (09) “…home game”
The Saints host the Vikings on Sunday, if they win, New Orleans will visit Green Bay on Sunday, January 12th at 5:40 PM.

The Pelicans won their fourth straight last night as New Orleans shot down the Rockets 127 to 111. Lonzo Ball nearly had a triple-double, 27 points, 10 rebounds, and eight assists. Brandon Ingram also had 27 points and today he was named Western Conference Player of the Week as he’s averaging 25 points a game during this four-game winning streak. New Orleans will visit the Lakers on Friday.

LSU will face Clemson on January 13th in New Orleans in the National Championship game. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says it’s another matchup between two great offenses…
cut 15 (09) “…the ball”
N-F-L-dot-com reports that LSU passing game coordinator Joe Brady is up for an offensive coordinator position in the N-F-L. Ian Rapoport says Ravens defensive coordinator Don Martindale is a potential head coaching candidate and if he’s hired as a head coach, Brady is Martindale’s top choice to be his offensive coordinator.

LSU basketball finished off 2019 with a 74-57 victory over Liberty, who came into Baton Rouge with a perfect 14-0 record. The win for the Tigers snaps a two-game losing streak. Darius Days had 14 points.

The Cajuns lost their fifth straight falling to U-C Santa Barbara, 85-77. U-L Lafayette will host South Alabama on Thursday.

Despite a 13-and-3 record, the Saints will not have a bye in the playoffs. Because Green Bay and San Francisco both won yesterday, New Orleans will host Minnesota on Sunday in the wild card round. After yesterday’s 42-10 win over Carolina Coach Sean Payton says they are not sweating it…
cut 8 (09) “…home game”
The Saints host the Vikings on Sunday, if they win, New Orleans will visit Green Bay on Sunday January 12th at 5:40 PM.

The other wild card match-ups this weekend. Houston will host Buffalo on Saturday, the Patriots will face the Titans on Saturday night. Following the Saints game on Sunday, the Eagles will host the Seahawks. Former Louisiana Tech standout Boston Scott had three touchdowns as Philadelphia clinched an NFC East title with a 34-17 win over the Giants.

After a historic 63-28 dismantling of Oklahoma in the Peach Bowl, LSU faces Clemson two weeks from today in the Superdome for the National Championship Game. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says considering the competition, LSU is coming off its greatest single-game performance ever.
Cut 13 (12) “…complete”
If they want to raise the trophy on January 13th, the Tigers will have to end Clemson’s 29-game winning streak.

LSU basketball handed Liberty its first loss as the Tigers put out the Flames 74-57. Darius Days had 14 points. Oklahoma State crushed Southeastern Louisiana 82-31, U-C Santa Barbara defeated U-L Lafayette 85-77.

The Pelicans defeated the Rockets 127 to 112. Lonzo Ball hit seven three-pointers, a new career-high and E-Twaun Moore had 25 points off the bench. New Orleans has won four in a row. James Harden did not play because of a leg injury.

The Saints did not get a first-round bye in the playoffs, but they are playing as good as anyone heading into the postseason following a 42-10 win over Carolina on Sunday. Quarterback Drew Brees threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns and Alvin Kamara had two rushing touchdowns. The defense has allowed just 45 points over the last three games and Coach Sean Payton says that’s a good sign heading into the postseason…
cut 9 (08) “…playoff football”
The Saints will host Minnesota at noon on Sunday in the wild card round. The Black and Gold needed San Francisco or Green Bay to lose on Sunday to get a first-round bye in the playoffs, but the Packers rallied to beat Detroit 23 to 20 and the 49ers held on to beat Seattle 26 to 21, Seahawks tight end Jacob Hollister was stopped at the one-inch line in the final seconds as Seattle failed to complete the comeback.

LSU is a 5.5 point favorite in the January 13th national championship game versus Clemson. Tiger Rag Editor Ron Higgins says Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney likes playing the underdog role…
cut 14 (09) “…disrespected”
LSU’s defense which has played so well over the last four games will have to defend one of the nation’s top quarterbacks in Trevor Lawrence and the A-C-C offensive player of the year Travis Etienne from Jennings.

LSU basketball handed Liberty its first loss on the season as the Tigers put out the Flames 74-57. Darius Days had 14 points. Oklahoma State crushed Southeastern Louisiana 82-31, U-C Santa Barbar defeated U-L Lafayette 85-77. Northwestern State thumped Champion Christian 101 to 61.

The Pelicans defeated the Rockets 127 to 112. Lonzo Ball hit seven three-pointers, a new career-high and E-Twaun Moore had 25 points off the bench. New Orleans has won four in a row. James Harden did not play because of a leg injury.

Saints Coach Sean Payton says there are no plans to rest the starters for the regular-season finale at Carolina. Payton says they are still playing for a chance to get the first seed in the N-F-C playoffs or at least a bye. The team had a walk-thru practice on Christmas Day and Drew Brees, Michael Thomas, CJ Gardner Johnson and Vonn Bell were among a large group of players listed as limited because of injuries.

The last time LSU’s defense was on the field, we saw them put together domianting performances against Georgia and Texas A-and-M. Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda credits the players for trying to improve, even though the team was winning…
cut 17 (14) “…winning”
LSU will face an explosive Oklahoma offense on Saturday.
______________________________________________________________

How motivated will Miami be to play in today’s Independence Bowl contest against Louisiana Tech? The Hurricanes are 6-and-6 and playing a group of five school. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says there are several reasons why his team is fired up to play in the Indy Bowl…
cut 20 (18) “….them play”
Since 2006, the Hurricanes have just one bowl win and that was in 2016 over West Virginia.

The Pelicans concluded a four-game road trip with a 112-100 victory over Denver on Christmas night. Brandon Ingram had 31 points to end the Nuggets 7-game winning streak. Ingram hit a career high 7 3-pointers. New Orleans went 3-and-1 on the road swing. They return home Saturday to host Indiana.

Much of the talk heading into Saturday’s semifinal game between LSU and Oklahoma has been about the offenses. These two teams are ranked one and two in total offense in the country. The Sooners defense has improved over last year when they allowed 33 points a game. This year under first-year defensive coordinator Alex Grinch, they are allowing 25 points a contest. Tigers Center Lloyd Cushenberry on what he sees from Oklahoma’s defense…
cut 4 (11) “…play hard”
Despite a hamstring injury, Coach Ed Orgeron says there is a chance leading rusher Clyde Edwards-Helaire will play Saturday against the Sooners. Edwards-Helaire hurt his hamstring in practice last week and Coach O says they are taking it day-by-day. Kick-off on Saturday is at 3:00

The Saints did not get any help from Minnesota last night as the Packers defeated the Vikings 23-10 to improve to 12-and-3. So for the Saints to get the number one seed in the playoffs, they will need Green Bay to lose to Detroit, which is not likely and the 49ers have to lose to Seattle. The Seahawks are so banged up at running back, they are bringing back Marshawn Lynch. If New Orleans beats Carolina and either the Packers or 49ers lose, then the Saints will be the two seed.

Louisiana Tech will not have all-American cornerback Amik Robertson for Thursday’s Independence Bowl game against Miami, Robertson is entering the N-F-L draft and elected not to play in the bowl game. Former Ouachita Parish standout Zach Hannibal is expected to get the start in Robertson’s place.

The Pelicans won last night on the road in Portland, beating the Trail Blazers 102 to 94. Jrue Holiday led the way with 21 points and six rebounds. Brandon Ingram had 19 points and 11 rebounds. New Orleans is at Denver Christmas night.

Big win for the Saints on Sunday as they came back from 14 down to beat Tennessee 38-28. Michael Thomas set the N-F-L record for catches in a season and running back Alvin Kamara had two touchdowns, his first scores since Week three, but he’s more worried about winning…
cut 17 (12) “…I’m Good”
New Orleans is 12 and 3 and they can still get the number one seed in the N-F-C playoffs.

NFL analyst Mike Detillier says New Orleans must beat the Panthers on Sunday and hope a couple of teams lose…
Cut 10 (10) “…hands”
If the Saints have to go on the road in the postseason, they are 13-2 away from the Dome over the last two seasons.

There is some good news regarding LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire’s hamstring. Coach Ed Orgeron says his leading rusher is feeling better…
cut 30 (15) “…day-by-day”
Edwards-Helaire suffered the hamstring injury in practice last week.

The 7-and-23 Pelicans will try to get a win tonight in Portland. The Trail Blazers have won four in a row. New Orleans is coming off a loss to Golden State, who has the worst record in the N-B-A. The Pelicans had a late six-point lead in that contest, but like so many this season, they could not pull off a close victory. Tip-off tonight is at 7:00.

Speaking of close losses, LSU had another one on Saturday in Los Angeles as Coach Will Wade’s team dropped an 80-78 loss to U-S-C. The Tigers are 7-and-4 and three of the losses were two point defeats. LSU hosts undefeated Liberty on Sunday.