LSU is number one in the new College Football Playoff Rankings, followed by Ohio State at 2, Clemson at 3, and Georgia at 4. Alabama is on the outside looking in on the four-team playoff format at 5. Last week the Buckeyes took top billing, but Tiger Rag assistant editor Tyler Nunez says the Purple and Gold’s massive win over the Crimson Tide could not be ignored by the C-F-P selection committee….
cut 19 (17), number two”

Tonight the LSU men’s basketball team faces V-C-U. Tigers Coach Will Wade spent two seasons as the head coach V-C-U leading the Rams to the NCAA tournament both years. Also, tonight McNeese is at Wisconsin, Grambling is at Southeastern Louisiana.

The Ragin Cajuns are on a roll and they are four-touchdown favorites to beat South Alabama on Saturday. The Jaguars are winless in conference play and have just one win overall. U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says South Al is better than what their record indicates
Cut 16 (20) …for you’.
The Cajuns have a one-game lead for first place in the Sun Belt Western Division and they are a couple of victories away from locking up a spot in the conference championship game for the second year in a row.

Louisiana Tech is undefeated in league play and they are at Marshall on Friday night. The last time the Bulldogs and Thundering Herd played, the 2014 Conference USA titel game won by Marshall by three points.

ULM Coach Matt Viator is hopeful wide out Brandius Batiste can play Saturday at Georgia Southern. He’s missed over a month with an ankle injury.

Saints Coach Sean Payton says the team has taken a hard look at the film of Sunday’s upset 26 to 9 loss to Atlanta…
cut 19 (18) “…some point”
New Orleans committed 12 penalties on Sunday.

The last unbeaten team in the NFL lost last night. Seattle defeated the 49ers 27-24 in overtime.

In basketball, James Harden scored 19 points in the fourth quarter on his way to a 39-point night as Houston defeated New Orleans 122 to 116.

In college hoops, Texas A-and-M topped ULM 63-57. Tonight the Cajuns are at TCU, Louisiana Tech hosts Wiley and Rice is at Northwestern State.

New college football playoff rankings come out tonight. LSU could be ranked number one after its win over Alabama and they are in a great position to make the playoffs, even with a loss. But Jerry Palm of CBS-spots-dot-com says the Tigers have a lot of incentive to keep the pedal to the floor…
cut 15 (11) “…phoenix”
Alabama is not out of the playoff hunt, despite Saturday’s loss on their home field. It’s possible they could face the Tigers again in the C-F-P. Coach Ed Orgeron says his team will stay focused on this Saturday’s game at Ole Miss…
cut 17 (15) “…let it go”
The Tigers are a three-touchdown favorite to beat the Rebels.

The Saints suffered a shocking loss Sunday in the Superdome as the one and seven Falcons flew into New Orleans and grabbed a 23-9 victory over the Black and Gold, who fall to 7-and-2 on the season. It was a bad day for the offensive line, who allowed six sacks as the Saints were just 3-of-12 on third downs. Quarterback Drew Brees says 12 penalties didn’t help…
cut 18 (27) “…score points”
Cornerback Marshon Lattimore missed much of the game with a hamstring strain. Ian Rapoport reports Lattimore is considered week-to-week. New Orleans is at Tampa Bay this Sunday.

The SEC announced today that LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire are co-offensive players of the week. Burrow threw for 393 yards and three touchdowns in the big win over Alabama. Edwards-Helaire had 103 yards rushing and four touchdowns. LSU is at Ole Miss this Saturday.

ULM is at Georgia State this Saturday. The Warhawks snapped a two-game losing streak with a 45-31 win over Georgia State on Saturday at Malone Stadium. ULM coach Matt Viator is glad to see his team respond after a tough homecoming loss to Arkansas State the week before…
cut 20 (23) “…about em”
ULM is tied for second in the Sun Belt West, one game back of the Cajuns who are at South Alabama Saturday.

The big game has finally arrived….second-ranked LSU versus third-ranked Alabama. After losing eight straight to the Crimson Tide, the Fighting Tigers feel like they finally have the personnel to beat Alabama. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron on what it will take to get a win…
cut 30 (18) “…being physical”
And LSU would like to put pressure on Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who has helped orchestrate the nation’s fifth-best passing attack. But Tua hasn’t played since suffering a high ankle sprain three weeks ago.

Louisiana Tech will also face a good quarterback today when the Bulldogs host North Texas for homecoming. Mean Green Quarterback Mason Fine has thrown for 27 touchdown passes. Kick-off is at 3 PM.

ULM faces a tough test this afternoon at Malone Stadium as they welcome Georgia State to Monroe. The Panthers are 6-and-2, 3-and-1 in the Sun Belt and beat ULM 46-14 in Atlanta last season. A loss today for the Warhawks would mean they would have to win their final three games in order to become bowl eligible.

In the Southland, Southeastern Louisiana is at Central Arkansas. The sixth-ranked Bears are in first place in the league with a five and one record. The Lions are in a three-way tie for second place.

Nicholls is part of that three-way tie. The Colonels host Houston Baptist. H-B-U has lost four in a row. Northwestern State hosts Lamar. The Demons have won six of the last seven games played between these two teams.

And Grambling hosts Alcorn State. The Tigers need a win today to have a shot at winning at the SWAC Western Division title. Kick-off is at 2 PM.
In basketball, the Pelicans lost to Toronto 122 to 104, LSU beat Bowling Green 88-79. Javonte Smart had 21 points, Skylar Mays had 18.

LSU fans are hoping this is the year. Can the Fighting Tigers finally beat Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide for the first time since 2011. Quarterback Joe Burrow says the recent history of this series is not causing any extra pressure…
cut 15 (12) “…us too”
And if you are thinking about jumping into your car and traveling to Tuscaloosa to catch the big game, it will cost you. Here’s Stubhub’s Adam Budelli….
cut 10 (11) “…per ticket”

LSU basketball tips off a new season tonight as the defending SEC champs host Bowling Green. The Pelicans try for just their second win on the season when they host Toronto.

La Tech will look to win its eighth in a row when they host North Texas for homecoming tomorrow. The Mean Green are 4-and-5, but Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says they have one of the best players in the league, Q-B Mason Fine…
cut 18 (21) “him compete”
The Bulldogs are in first place in the Conference USA western division with a 4-0 record.

In other action tomorrow, ULM looks to snap a two-game losing streak as the Warhawks host Georgia State.

In the Southland, Southeastern Louisiana is at conference leader Central Arkansas. Nicholls hosts Houston Baptist and Northwestern State hosts Lamar.

Grambling State is also home to face Alcorn State.

Sunday its the Saints and Falcons. New Orleans looks to be very healthy after having last weekend off. Kick-off in the Dome is at noon.

It’s rivalry weekend for LSU and Saints fans. The Fighting Tigers take on Alabama tomorrow. The Bayou Bengals are looking to snap an eight-game losing streak to the Tide. Quarterback Joe Burrow says they need no extra motivation…
cut 13 (09) “…place”
Kick off is at 2:30.

The Saints face their biggest rival when they host the Falcons at noon. Atlanta is a dreadful one and seven, but they lead the NFL in passing yards. Coach Sean Payton says the Dirty Birds are still explosive…
Cut 16 (25) …situations’.

The Ragin Cajuns won their fourth straight game yesterday and they remain undefeated on the road this year as U-L Lafayette thumped Coastal Carolina 49-7. Levi Lewis threw three touchdown passes as the offense scored on all four of its first-half drives.

Louisiana Tech is coming off a bye and they are receiving votes in the AP and Top 25 coaches poll as they host North Texas tomorrow. The Bulldogs are in a position to win the West division in Conference, but Coach Skip Holtz says there are still four games left…
cut 19 (22) “…themselves”

In basketball tonight, LSU tips off a new season by hosting Bowling Green and the Pelicans face the Raptors at the Smoothie KIng Center.

A win for LSU on Saturday against Alabama and the Tigers will take a big step forward towards a berth in the four-team college football playoff. LSU running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire says the team understands the high stakes…
Cut 17 (23) this area ”
The Tigers have won seven of their last eight games against Top 10 teams. The only loss during that time was last year’s 29-0 defeat against Alabama.

Saints Coach Sean Payton said today that he fully expects Alvin Kamar will play this Sunday against the Falcons. Kamara missed the last two games because of a high ankle sprain. The first two games of his career that he’s missed because of injuries.

The college football weekend gets underway tonight with the Ragin Cajuns facing Coastal Carolina. U-L Lafayette lost to Coastal last year and Cajuns Coach Billy Napier says they are better than what their four and four record shows this year….
cut 20 (11) “…they have’
Coastal won its first league game last week, a 36-35 victory over Troy.

Saturday will be a big day of football in northeast Louisiana. Grambling hosts Alcorn State, Louisiana Tech takes on North Texas for homecoming and ULM will host Georgia State.

In nearby Natchitoches, Northwestern State hosts Lamar, Nicholls will host Houston Baptist and Southeastern Louisiana is at Central Arkansas. The Bears are in first place in the Southland.

The Pelicans will host the Raptors tomorrow night. Zion Williamson continues to rehab and no timetable has been established on when he’ll return.

LSU basketball tips off its season tomorrow at home against Bowling Green.

Alabama Coach Nick Saban tells ESPN that his star quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has made strides and there’s a good chance he’ll play Saturday against LSU. LSU safety Jacoby Stevens says they are covering all of their bases and they are preparing for backup Mac Jones too…
cut 18 (16) “….they have”
LSU quarterback Joe Burrow did not have a good game against Alabama last year as he threw for 184 yards and an interception in a shutout loss at home. But a report in Sports Illustrated says Burrow separated his throwing shoulder two days before the game.

LSU Safety Grant Delpit still has yet to practice this week, but Coach Ed Orgeron still expects Delpit to play Saturday. He suffered a sprain ankle in the win over Auburn.

The bye week appears to have helped the Saints get healthy ahead of their game this Sunday against the Atlanta Falcons. Tight end Jared Cook and receiver Tre’Quan Smith were full participants. Running back Alvin Kamara was limited, but there’s optimism he’ll play this Sunday at noon.

After beating Texas State for homecoming on Saturday, the Ragin Cajuns are back at it tonight as they visit Coastal Carolina. U-L Lafayette Coach Billy Napier says Coastal is not easy to prepare for on a short week…
cut 19 (23), players”
Coastal is coming off its first league win, a 36-35 victory over Troy.

College hoops last night, Tulane topped Southeastern Louisiana 76-55, Louisiana Tech defeated Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi 82-49, Western Michigan downed McNeese 75-65 and Northwestern State lost at Texas A-and-M 77-63.

Alabama Football Coach Nick Saban said quarterback Tua Tagvailoa is doing ok at practice this week and it’s still a game-time decision as to whether he plays against LSU. On October 20th, Tua underwent a procedure to fix a high ankle sprain. The injury forced him to win one game.

LSU linebacker K-Lavon Chaisson says they expect Tua to be 100-percent Saturday and the plan is to get him on the ground…
cut 18 (19) “….the game”

In the first college football playoff ranking, LSU is number two, behind Ohio State, which is a surprise to many Tiger fans. Alabama is ranked third, Penn State Fourth.

The Falcons will likely have two of their top players back for Sunday’s game against the Saints in the Dome. Coach Dan Quinn said today that quarterback Matt Ryan and cornerback Desmond Trufrant have returned to practice. Rayn missed Atlanta’s last game with an ankle sprain and Trufant has been out since week five with a toe injury.

And the Saints are also getting healthier. Running back Alvin Kamara, tight end Jared Cook, wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith and cornerback Patrick Robinson were back on the practice field today for the portion viewed by the media.

In college basketball last night, the Ragin Cajuns and ULM were easy winners last night. UL-Lafayette dunked Loyola of New Orleans 94-41, while the Warhawks flew past Louisiana College 95-57. Nicholls nearly upset Illinois as they lost to the Big 10 school 78-70 in overtime.

In action tonight, Louisiana Tech is at Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi. Tulane will host Southeastern Louisiana. Both schools have first year coaches. Ron Hunter for the Green Wave, and Lions new head man is David Kiefer. Northwestern State, who beat Centenary last night, will be at Texas A-and-M tonight. And McNeese visits Western Michigan.

The first college football playoff rankings are out and many LSU fans are surprised to see the Tigers are not number one. That honor goes to Ohio State, which has dominated its eight opponents. LSU is ranked second and will visit third-ranked Alabama this Saturday.

The Bayou Bengals will not have linebacker Michael Divinity. The team’s sack leader has left the program for personal reasons. Andre Anthony, who has nine tackles on the season, is expected to see a bigger role. Linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson says Anthony is ready for the challenge…
cut 19 (24) “..handle it”
At yesterday’s practice, Damone Clark practiced with the pass-rushing unit. Safety Grant Delpit was not at practice as he continues to nurse an ankle injury. He’s expected to play Saturday.

The Saints will hit the practice field today to get ready for Sunday’s game against the one and seven Atlanta Falcons. New Orleans is seven and one at the halfway point and they’ll play the Dirty Birds and Carolina twice during the second half of the season. The combined record of the Saints opponents in the second half is 31-and-34.

The college basketball season tipped off last night and Nicholls nearly pulled off a big upset. The Colonels rallied from a 20-point second-half deficit and nearly beat Illinois in overtime 78-70. Transfer Dexter McClanahan had an impressive debut in a Nicholls uniform with 25 points.

Elsewhere, the Ragin Cajuns thumped Loyola of New Orleans 94-41, U-L Lafayette’s Bob Marlin won his 400th game as a Division One head coach, ULM routed Louisiana College 95-57 as JD Williams scored 25 points and Northwestern State crushed Centenary 84-51.

Tonight, Lousiana Tech tips off the season at Texas A-and-M Corpus Christi.