After allowing 30 or more points in four of their first five games, the Saints defense has been playing much better lately. They shutout the Rams last Sunday in the second half during a 49-21 win. Linebacker Craig Robertson credits a togetherness for the improved play…:
Cut 16 (13) “we’re having fun”
New Orleans has five games left, starting when the Detroit Lions visit the Superdome this Sunday.

The time for the New Orleans Saints December 11 road game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has been changed from noon to 3:25.

In the NBA, the Pelicans destroyed the Lakers last night in the Smoothie King Center 105-88. The victory snapped New Orleans’ two-game losing streak to improve to 7-12. Anthony Davis had 41 points in the game and 16 rebounds.

LSU has moved back into the College Football Playoff rankings, but it looks as though any slim hope for a Sugar Bowl chance is out the window. The Tigers sit at No. 21 in the newest CFP lineup released Tuesday evening; they are the fourth-highest ranked SEC team. LSU’s bowl hopes now turn to the Citrus in Orlando, Florida.

ULM closes out its regular season on Saturday against in state rival UL Lafayette. The Warhawks are 4-7, but have won two of their last three. Coach Matt Viator likes how his team has been able to run the ball lately…:
Cut 18 (19) “ of sacks”
The game in Monroe kicks off at 2pm.

College hoops… LSU had an easy time handing Houston their first loss of the season, as the Tigers up their season record to 5-2 following the 84-65 victory over the Cougars.

Fox Sports Bruce Feldman is reporting that LSU will make defensive coordinator Dave Aranda the highest paid assistant coach in the country. Several media outlets reported yesterday that Aranda agreed to a new three-year contract. The Tigers finished the regular season seventh in scoring defense.

So what bowl game will LSU end up at? They’ll find out Sunday and the SEC will help determine their destination. Jerry Palm of CBS sports dot com believes the Tigers will end up at one of the bowls in Florida and they are an attractive choice for the bowls, because many fans are excited about the hiring of Ed Orgeron as head coach…
cut 19 (09) “…begin with”
Orgeron appeared on ESPN’s Mike and Mike this morning and said he plans to bring an explosive offense and championship program to LSU.

ESPN’s Mike Triplett reports that Saints receiver Brandin Cooks is becoming frustrated with his role in the offense. Cooks did not catch a pass against the Rams last Sunday as he was used to pull coverage away from fellow receivers. Cooks is still on pact to have over one-thousand receiving yards this season.

UL Lafayette receiver Gabe Fuselier has left the Cajuns football program with just one game left in the regular season. Fuselier has caught just eight passes this year after hauling in 37 passes last year. UL Lafayette is at ULM this Saturday. The Warhawks haven’t beaten in their in-state rival since 2013 and have lost seven of their last eight.

In college basketball tonight. The 4-and-2 LSU Tigers host a 5-and-0 Houston Cougars team. Tip-off is at 8 PM.

Also tonight, McNeese State is at Texas State and in the NBA…the Pelicans host the Lakers.

The regular season is over and it’s hard to determine where the LSU Tigers will play in a bowl game. That’s because eight teams in the SEC have either seven or eight wins. Jerry Palm updates his bowl projections every week on CBS-Sports-dot-com and he says Alabama is headed to the college football playoff and the Sugar Bowl will take the highest ranked SEC team in the C-F-P, which he says will either be Auburn or Florida. He says his best guest for LSU is either the Outback Bowl in Tampa or the Taxslayer Bowl in Jacksonville….
cut 18 (10) “…is a possibility”
Based on various media reports, LSU and defensive coordinator Dave Aranda have agreed to a contract extension and a pay raise. Aranda made one-point-two million dollars this past season.

There are three college football games involving Louisiana teams this Saturday. Tech faces Western Kentucky in the Conference USA Championship game in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Hilltoppers are 9-3 overall and their one loss in conference play was to the Bulldogs.

The Cajuns are at ULM. UL Lafayette Coach Mark Hudspeth on the match-up with the Warhawks…
cut 30 (11) “…for them”
Kick-off is at two o’ clock. A win for UL Lafayette and they can end up in the New Orleans Bowl.

And Grambling will face Alcorn State in the SWAC title game. The Tigers are coming off a 52-30 win over Southern. Martez Carter had 279 all-purpose yards in that contest.

The Saints are off today. This Sunday they’ll host Detroit at noon. The December 11th game at Tampa Bay has been moved to 3:15.

LSU will find out its bowl game destination on Sunday, but it’s difficult to figure where the Tigers will go. That’s because eight teams in the SEC have either seven or eight wins. Jerry Palm updates his bowl projections every week on CBS-Sports-dot-com…:
Cut 17 (13) “is concerned “
LSU was in the Texas Bowl last year and easily defeated Texas Tech 56-27.

This Saturday, Louisiana Tech plays in the Conference USA Championship game against Western Kentucky. Palm says if the Bulldogs win they’ll play in the Zaxby’s Heart of Dallas Bowl, a loss will send them to the New Orleans Bowl…:
cut 20 (12) “to New Orleans”

TigerRag.com reports that LSU Defensive Coordinator Dave Aranda has agreed to a new contract. The three year deal was expected to include a raise, an extension and a new title of associate head coach.

In college football honors this week… LSU running back Derrius Guice was named the Co-Offensive Player of the Week. He rushed for a school record 285 yards to go with four touchdowns in the Tigers’ 54-39 win at Texas A&M. He was also the Louisiana Sports Writers Association’s Offensive Player of the Week.

The LSWA has also named UL-Lafayette Linebacker Otha Peters the Defensive Player of the Week. He had nine tackles and one for loss in the Cajuns’ 24-19 upset of Arkansas State.

Grambling’s Martez Carter is the LSWA Special Teams Player of the Week. He had 279 all-purpose yards including an 88 yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the Tigers’ 52-30 win over Southern in the Bayou Classic.

The LSU coaching staff is on the recruiting trail this week now that they know Ed Orgeron is the permanent head coach. Orgeron says he understands and invites the expectations at LSU and that’s why he wants to build a championship program fast and has a vision to do so…
Cut 23 (08) “we go”
One of those pieces of the puzzle is defensive coordinator Dave Aranda. Tiger Rag Magazine is reporting Aranda has agreed to a new three-year deal with the Tigers and he’ll keep the title of associate head coach. LSU finished seventh nationally in scoring defense and allowed three touchdowns in the team’s four losses.

Bradley Dale Peveto is no longer a member of the staff. The special teams coach has been let go by Orgeron. Peveto was on LSU’s staff for the last three seasons.

The Saints had 555 yards of total offense in yesterday’s 49-21 win over the Rams. But the defense also had a good showing. After giving up two long scoring drives in the first half, they did not allow any points in the 2nd half and held Los Angeles to 60 yards in the final 30 minutes. Coach Sean Payton credits the team’s health for the improved play on defense…
cut 18 (21) “…clean and correct”
New Orleans is now 5-6, in third place in the NFC South. They host Detroit this Sunday, who leads the NFC North with a 7-4 record.

In college hoops tonight…Northwestern State is at Mississippi State. ULM hosts Stephen F Austin. Tip-off at Fant-Ewing Coliseum is at 7.

LSU’s Ed Orgeron has already made changes to his coaching staff. He’s fired special teams coordinator Bradley Dale Peveto. The former Northwestern State head coach was at LSU for the last three seasons. Orgeron’s biggest hire for his coaching staff will be offensive coordinator. He says he has a couple of guys in mind….
cut 15 (08) “…to LSU”

Louisiana Tech and Grambling State are getting ready to play in conference championship games. Tech will face Western Kentucky at 11 AM on Saturday in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Bulldogs beat the Hilltoppers 55-52 in Ruston on October 6th. After beating Southern in the Bayou Classic, Grambling will now get ready to play Alcorn State in the SWAC title game on Saturday in Houston. Grambling easily beat Alcorn 43-18 in October.

The Saints offense was clicking in yesterday’s 49-21 win over the Los Angeles Rams. New Orleans had 555 yards of total offense. Rookie receiver Michael Thomas had another big game as he caught 9 passes for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Coach Sean Payton says he’s impressed with how Thomas can catch passes away from his body…
cut 17 (15) “….to tackle”
Atlanta and Tampa Bay also won yesterday, so the Saints are still in third place in the NFC South.

In basketball…the Pelicans lost to Dallas, who has the worst record in the NBA. Nicholls defeated Samford in double overtime, California knocked off Southeastern, UL Lafayette beat Texas Southern 84-73 and it was La Tech over Maryland-Eastern Shore74-53.

The Saints offense was nearly unstoppable Sunday as New Orleans kept its playoff hopes alive with a 49-21 win over the Los Angeles Rams. The Black and Gold had 555 total yards, 346 through the air, 209 on the ground on 32 rush attempts. Coach Sean Payton says the key was converting on 3rd down six times in 13 opportunities…:
Cut 16 (20)” that was clear”
The Saints are back in the Superdome on Sunday against Detroit.

In the NBA, the Pelicans, who opened the season with an eight game losing streak and then flew off with four consecutive wins, have now lost their past two after falling to the Mavericks last night 91-81. Dallas still has the NBA’s worst record now at 3-13. New Orleans falls to 6-12 with the loss.

New LSU Football coach Ed Orgeron has a plan to have the Tigers competing for championships again. Jeff Palermo has more…:
Cut 3 (28) “Jeff Palermo”

In one of his first moves at the helm, Coach O released special teams coach Bradley Dale Peveto. He said they appreciate the work Peveto put into the program, but they feel it’s time to move in a different direction with special teams.

In college basketball, Nicholls State beat Samford 106-103 on Sunday. Southeastern fell to California 67-55. UL-Lafayette prevailed over Texas Southern 84-73.

LSU has called a noon press conference to announce its new head football coach. It’s been reported that Ed Orgeron and Tom Herman were the two likely choices. Tiger Rag Magazine says Orgeron sat down with athletic director Joe Alleva yesterday morning after leading the Tigers to a 5-2 record as the interim head coach. There’s also been reports that LSU made an offer to Herman, who is 22-4 after two seasons at Houston.

The Saints and Rams will face each other in the Superdome on Sunday. Both teams are 4-6. Los Angeles’ defensive coordinator is Gregg Williams. He was the defensive coordinator for the Saints during the Super Bowl, but was suspended for the 2012 season because of the bounty scandel. Quarterback Drew Brees  chooses to focus on the positive…

cut 20 (13) “beat them”

Kickoff Sunday is at noon.

Ryan Higgins entered yesterday’s game against Southern Miss with just four interceptions on the season. The Louisiana Tech quarterback threw three picks yesterday as the Bulldogs lost to Southern Miss 39-24. Despite the loss, Tech will still play in the Conference USA Championship game.

The winner of today’s Bayou Classic matchup between Southern and Grambling will play in the SWAC Championship against two-time defending champion Alcorn State next Saturday. Both teams are 8-0 in the league and capable of scoring a lot of points.

Also today, UL Lafayette hosts Arkansas State in an 11 AM kickoff at Cajun Field. The Cajuns need to win to keep hope alive for a possible bowl bid.

In the high school football playoffs….the defending champs in Division 3, Notre Dame, they were upset by St. Charles Catholic 21-10 last night. The Comets will face Riverside on Friday afternoon in the Dome. In Two-A, Sterlington knocked off Kinder 49-42 and they’ll face Many in the semifinals.

Tiger Rag Magazine reports LSU interim head coach Ed Orgeron met with athletic director Joe Alleva this morning. It was Orgeron’s opportunity to make his case to be the permanent head coach of the Tigers. Orgeron took over for the fired LSU Miles at the end of September and the team went 5-2 with “O” at the helm.

But Glen Guilbeau of Gannett newspapers and featured columnist for Tiger Rag, says LSU also has an offer into 41-year-old Houston Coach Tom Herman. But Guilbeau says Herman might be more interested in the Texas job, if it becomes available…
cut 11 (08) “…as better”

Louisiana Tech is playing for a chance to host the Conference USA Championship game. At halftime, they trail Southern Miss 23-17. The Bulldogs went into the game as a double digit favorite.

Houston’s Tom Herman has emerged as LSU’s top candidate to be the next head football coach of the Tigers. Glen Guilbeau of the USA Today Network and featured columinst for Tiger Rag Magazine says LSU representatives paid Herman a visit on Thanksgiving Day…
cut 9 (12) “…kind of hurry”
Guilbeau says LSU also approached Florida State Head Coach Jimbo Fisher, but he declined an offer that would pay him in the neighborhood of seven-million dollars a year. He says interim head coach Ed Orgeron remains a candidate as well.

Meanwhile, Houston Coach Tom Herman was interviewed by ESPN this morning and said don’t believe everything you read.

Fans are making their way into New Orleans for tomorrow’s Bayou Classic, between Southern and Grambling State. Both teams are undefeated in SWAC play.

Louisiana Tech closes out its regular season today as they host a struggling Southern Miss team. The Golden Eagles have lost five of their last six. Southern Miss starting quarterback Nick Mullens has missed the last two games with a head injury and he’s questionable for today’s contest. But Bulldogs Coach Skip Holtz says Southern Miss does have a one-thousand yard rusher in Ito Smith….
cut 16 (17) “…their problems”
Tech is a two touchdown favorite to win.

Tonight the High School playoffs continue. The defending champs in Class 3A, Lutcher, they’ll host Marksville. In Two-A, top seeded Many hosts 24th seeded West St. John, and in One-A, Haynesville plays host to Delhi Charter.

In the NBA, the Pelicans look to extend their four-game winning streak as they visit the Trail Blazers.