After a slow start to the season, LSU’s defense has played much better this month and it’s now ranked as the fourth best defense in the SEC behind Georgia, Missouri and Alabama. The Tigers rank second in rush defense, allowing just 98 yards a game. Safety Jacoby Stevens’ improved play is one reason for the improved defense…
Cut 16 (21) the year”

The Pelicans poor start continues. They dropped to 0-and-4 last night as they fell to Golden State 134 to 123. The Warriors jumped out to an early and never looked back. The lead eventually grew to 29 points in the fourth quarter.

The 7-and-1 Saints lead the NFC South as they head into the bye week and their next game is against division rival Atlanta. Know-rivalry-dot-com, did a survey of fans to find out the biggest rivalries in the NFL and the Saints biggest rival by far is the Dirty Birds. West Carolina Professor David Tyler says Who Dat nation’s next biggest rival is Carolina, who finished a distant second place…
cut 14 (10) “…nothing terribly meaningful”

Louisiana Tech quarterback J’Mar Smith is the Louisiana Sports Writers Association Offensive Player of the Week. Smith threw for 338 yards and three touchdowns in the Bulldogs win over UTEP.

Northwestern State’s Ja’Quay Pough is the defensive player of the week. He had 21 tackles in the Demons 44-41 win at 20th ranked Incarnate Word.

McNeese’s Bailey Rabon is the Special Teams Player of the Week. Raborn made two field goals this past week and averaged 46 yards a punt.

The early betting line for the battle of the unbeatens between LSU and Alabama has the Crimson Tide favorite by 6.5 points. The Tigers are more the tested team with three wins over top-ten opponents. Defensive end Rashard Lawrence says LSU also brings a lot of experience to Bama…
cut 18 (14) “….man”
The big question in Tuscaloosa will quarterback Tua Tagovailoa play. Alabama Coach Nick Saban says Tua will practice Wednesday but doesn’t know if he’ll be ready to play November ninth after undergoing surgery on his ankle.

The Pelicans were without the injured Zion Williamson and Jrue Holiday and fell to 0-and-4 with a 134 to 123 loss to Golden State last night. The Pels trailed by 29 early in the 4th quarter.

The Saints and Falcons have the most intense rivalry in the NFL, according to knowrivalry.com, a project of professors from West Carolina and Northern Kentucky Universities. Contributing fans are given 100 points to distribute among teams they believe their team has the biggest beef with. West Carolina Professor David Tyler…
Cut 13 (10) “…highest aggregate score.”
When the Saints return from the bye week, they’ll host the Falcons. The game looks like a mismatch, New Orleans is 7-and-1, Atlanta is one-and-7.

The Ragin Cajuns head into Saturday’s homecoming game against Texas State as big favorites. U-L Lafayette is coming off week and they are 5-and-2, while the Bobcats are two and five. Coach Billy Napier points out that Texas State has a quality win over Georgia State.

ULM will host Arkansas State. The loser of this game can forget about winning the Sun Belt Western Division. Kick off at Malone Stadium is at 2:30.

Saints quarterback Drew Brees did not look rusty at all in his return from thumb surgery. The future Hall of Famer threw for 373 yards and three touchdowns in New Orleans 31-9 win over the Arizona Cardinals. Brees says it was great to be back….
cut 20 (15) “…those guys”
The Saints are off Sunday and return to the field November 10th to host the struggling Falcons, a stretch of four straight games against divisional opponents.

The Pelicans look for their first win of the season when they host Golden State tonight. The Warriors are also off to a tough start as the five-time defending Western Conference champs lost their first two games of the season. Blow out defeats to the Clippers and Thunder. The Pels have been competitive in their three losses, just not good enough to win.

It will likely be one versus two when LSU visits Alabama in Tuscaloosa on November 9th. The Fighting Tigers have moved past the Crimson Tide in the AP Top 25 as the Bayou Bengals own three victories over teams ranked in the Top 10. But LSU has lost eight in a row to Alabama, Quarterback Joe Burrow lost at home to the Tide last season…
cut 18 (14) “….two weeks”
LSU, Bama and third-ranked Ohio State are off this Saturday. Tiger Rag Assistant Editor Tyler Nunez says Oklahoma’s loss to Kansas State on Saturday helps LSU’s chances of making the college football playoff…
cut 13 (07) “…to Alabama”
As it looks right now, Clemson, the champion of the Big Ten and SEC will be in the college football playoff and Oklahoma’s loss leaves the door open for a one-loss SEC team to get into the playoff.

The AP ranks LSU football number one for the first time since 2011. The Tigers beat Auburn 23-20 on Saturday as running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire rushed for 136 yards and one TD. The Baton Rouge product told running backs coach Tommie Robinson he would not be denied…
cut 17 (11) “….it happen”
Both LSU and Alabama are 8-and-0 and they will face each other a week from Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

Louisiana Tech is ranked 29th in the coaches poll after beating UTEP 42-21 on Saturday. J-Mar Smith was on the money as he threw for 331 yards and three touchdowns. Tech is 4-0 in the Conference USA standings.

Nicholls falls nine spots to number 24 after losing to Abilene Christian 37-31 in overtime. The Colonels are now 4-and-4 on the season and their eight-game home winning streak is over.

Drew Brees was sharp on Sunday as he came off a five-week absence to lead New Orleans to a sixth straight win, a 31-9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Brees tossed three touchdown passes and threw for 373 yards. Some were concerned the Saints were rushing Brees back, but Coach Sean Payton was not…
cut 19 (23) “good win”
Brees and Michael Thomas picked up where they left off as Thomas caught 11 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Latavius Murray, who also had a rushing touchdown and 102 yards on the ground for the injured Alvin Kamara.

Drew Brees was sharp on Sunday as he came off a five-week absence to lead New Orleans to a sixth straight win, a 31-9 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Brees tossed three touchdown passes and threw for 373 yards. Some were concerned the Saints were rushing Brees back, but Coach Sean Payton was not…
cut 19 (23) “good win”
Brees and Michael Thomas picked up where they left off as Thomas caught 11 passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Latavius Murray, who also had a rushing touchdown and 102 yards on the ground for the injured Alvin Kamara.

LSU is the new number one college football team in the country after a hard-fought 23-20 win over Auburn. Coach Ed Orgeron says its the kind of game you need to win to have a championship season
Cut 16 (21) everybody”
LSU leads Alabama in the A-P poll by two points. The Tigers and Tide will face off a week from Saturday.

In other college football action, Lousiana Tech topped UTEP 42 to 21 to improve to 4-and-0 in Conference USA.

In the Southland, Central Arkansas is the lead leaguer after a weekend that saw Nicholls lose in overtime and Northwestern State beat Incarnate World in overtime for its win on the year. Southeastern Louisiana crushed Houston Baptist 52-13 to get back in the conference race.

It’s another Top 10 matchup for the 2nd ranked LSU Tigers as the Bayou Bengals host ninth-ranked Auburn at 2:30 today. Today will be a big test for the Tigers offensive line. Coach Ed Orgeron says his guys will have to win one-on-one matchups…
cut 30 (20) “…throw the ball”
The Tigers are 10.5 point favorites.

Louisiana Tech is a big 20.5 favorite on the road today against UTEP. The Bulldogs are 6-and-1 and 3-and-0 in Conference USA. The Miners have lost five straight and none of those games were close.

Tulane is a slight underdog on the road at Navy. The Green Wave have not won in Annapolis since 2001.

16th ranked Nicholls enters today tied for first place in the Southland Conference with Sam Houston, Incarnate World and Central Arkansas. All of those teams have one loss in conference. The Colonels host Abilene Christian for homecoming.

McNeese brings a two-game winning streak on the road to Stephen F Austin. The Cowboys have lost nine straight on the road. Winless Northwestern State is at 20th ranked Incarnate World. The Cardinals have won four straight since losing its Southland opener to Sam Houston. And Southeastern comes off a bye week to face Houston Baptist at 2 PM.

And Grambling is also coming off a bye week and the Tigers are on the road at Arkansas Pine Bluff. Southern is at Alcorn State. The Jags have lost eight of their last nine games in Lorman, Mississippi.

Coach Sean Payton will not say who will start at quarterback Sunday when the Saints host Arizona. Drew Brees and running back Alvin Kamara are both questionable.

And the Pelicans fall to 0-2 on the season as Dallas downed New Orleans 123 to 115, despite 25 points from Brandon Ingram.

Ninth-ranked Auburn will look for its win in Tiger Stadium since 1999 when they face second-ranked LSU at 2:30 tomorrow. Auburn will start a true freshman at quarterback in Bo Nix, but they will also rely on a rushing attack that leads the SEC. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says they are also concerned about the tempo offense that Auburn likes to run…
cut 17 (20) “…little bit”
And on defense, Auburn features defensive tackle Derrick Brown who could be a top-five pick in the NFL draft next spring.

Tonight is the home opener for the Pelicans, who will host the Dallas Mavericks at 7 PM in the Smoothie King Center. The Mavs won their season opener over Washington, while the Pels lost in overtime to Toronto.

In last Sunday’s win over the Bears, the Saints made sure pass rusher Khalil Mack didn’t sack Teddy Bridgewater. New Orleans faces another good pass rusher Sunday as Arizona linebacker Chandler Jones has 8.5 sacks. Coach Sean Payton says veteran sack artist Terrell Suggs is also having a good season.
cut 19 (19) “situation”
Saints running back Alvin Kamara was limited at yesterday’s practice with ankle and knee injuries. Cornerback Eli Apple was a full participant after he was limited on Wednesday. Quarterback Drew Brees was limited for a second straight day. Kick-off Sunday is at noon.

Ninth-ranked Auburn heads to Baton Rouge later today looking for its first win in Tiger Stadium since 1999. Kick-off tomorrow is at 2:30. Auburn will start a true freshman at quarterback in Bo Nix, but they will also rely on a rushing attack that leads the SEC. LSU Coach Ed Orgeron says they are also concerned about the tempo offense that Auburn likes to run…
cut 17 (20) “…little bit”
And on defense, Auburn features defensive tackle Derrick Brown who could be a top-five pick in the NFL draft next spring.

Tonight is the home opener for the Pelicans who host Dallas tipped off its season by beating the Wizards by eight points. Tip-off is at 7 PM in the Smoothie King Center.

The Arizona Cardinals will bring a three-game winning streak to the Superdome on Sunday when they take on the six and one Saints. Arizona features one of the best cornerbacks in the game, former LSU star Patrick Peterson. Coach Sean Payton says they don’t want Peterson to have a big impact in the game…
cut 18 (10) plan
And on the other side of the ball, the Saints will have to contend with Arizona rookie quarterback Kyler Murray, who has 266 yards rushing, the second most for a quarterback in the NFL.

In high school football last night, Acadiana’s Dillan Monette rushed for a school-record 364 yards as the Wreckin Rams ran over Sam Houston 82-41. West Monroe shut out Ouachita 20-0, Oak Grove blanked Delhi 28-0. Newman, the top-ranked team in Two-A, lost to St. Charles Catholic 28-7, Alexandria rallied to beat Ruston 17-13 and Eunice topped Tioga 32-17, Marksville over Menard 38-14.

This Saturday in Death Valley, Auburn will have its chance to slow down the nation’s second highest-scoring offense. LSU’s offense, which is led by Heisman Trophy candidate Joe Burrow, is averaging 50 points a game. Auburn coach Gus Malzahn says he would like to make Burrow uncomfortable in the pocket…
cut 17 (13) “…sound coverage”
LSU’s offensive line will have to make sure Marlon Davidson is blocked. He has 8.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. Kick-off is at 2:30.

LSU’s guest captains for Saturday, Tommy Hodson, Eddie Fuller, Troy Twillie, Demetrius Byrd and Cole Tracy.

LSU football has received a verbal commitment from five-star tight end Airk Gilbert from Marietta, Georgia. Gilbert stunned recruiting analysts by choosing the Tigers over Alabama, Clemson, Texas A-and-M and Georgia.

After a big win over rival Southern Miss, Louisiana Tech heads on the road this Saturday to face UTEP, who has just one win on the season. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says after watching the tape, he can’t believe the Miners are just one and five on the season…
cut 18 (18) see there”
Tech has won six straight matchups against the Miners, which dates back to 2013.

Northwestern State tries again this Saturday to get its first win of the season as the Demons visit U-I-W. The Cardinals have won four in a row, since losing its Southland opener to Sam Houston State.

After getting shut out last week by Sam Houston, Nicholls hosts Abilene Christian for homecoming. Southeastern Louisiana is at Houston Baptist and McNeese visits Stephen F Austin.

Saints Quarterback Drew Brees says it’s his plan to play Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals. But Brees says if he doesn’t feel like himself, he will not take the field…
cut 30 (07) “…as accurate”
Coach Sean Payton says a decision on whether Brees will play on Sunday will be made at game time.

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron says sophomore wide receiver Terrace Marshall will be ready to play Saturday after missing the last three games after undergoing surgery on a foot fracture. Marsall practiced yesterday in a non-contact jersey.

And the LSU football program has received a huge verbal commitment from five-star tight end Arik Gilbert, who chose the Tigers over Alabama and Georgia. He’s six-foot-five, 253 pounds and is rated as the number one tight end in the 2020 class. Gilbert visited LSU during the Florida game.

Louisiana Tech is 3-and-0 in Conference USA and in first place in the West Division of Conference USA as they get ready to play UTEP. The Miners are winless in league play and one and five overall. Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says they can’t afford to have a let down after a big win last Saturday over Southern Miss…
cut 19 (25) “…give it back”
Tulane got thumped by 30 points at Memphis last Saturday. The Green Wave will look to bounce back this Saturday versus Navy.

Nicholls is also looking for a bounce-back performance after getting shut out last week against Sam Houston State. The Colonels host Abilene Christian for homecoming this Saturday.

Also in the Southland this weekend, Northwestern State is U-I-W, McNeese visits Stephen F Austin and Southeastern travels to Houston Baptist.