DIG Baton Rouge -- SEC Power Picks Week 5

Click below for my latest edition of "Power Picks" for DIG Baton Rouge.

SEC POWER PICKS: THE WEEK BEFORE

KLSU Sports Interview With LSU Cornerback Morris Claiborne

I caught up with LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne after practice for a quick interview for 91.1 KLSU fm. 


Morris walked me through his interception versus Tennessee, what Patrick Peterson told him about the interception and his thoughts on not facing Cam Newton against Auburn on Saturday.


CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE FULL INTERVIEW.


Listen to the "LSU Pregame Tailgate Show" Friday at 11:30 am and "Out of Bounds" Sunday night at 6 pm CT on 91.1 KLSU fm or www.klsuradio.fm. Follow KLSU Sports on Twitter @KLSUsports. 



Past Interviews Include:
LSU Punter Brad Wing
Former Saints Running Back Deuce McAllister 
LSU Cornerback Tharold Simon 
LSU Center T-Bob Hebert & Safety Eric Reid

What the LSU Tigers Are Missing This Season

The LSU Tigers are missing this.
Photo via ATVS

The LSU Tigers are missing the most electrifying part of their football team from the last few years


I'm not talking about Patrick Peterson. Sure "PP7" provided the some of the most exciting moments in LSU history, but "TM7" and the rest of the secondary are making due without their leader.

Stevan Ridley, Charles Scott and Jacob Hester were the bruising running backs Tiger fans have known to come and love. Ridley may have scored a job and season saving touchdown for Les Miles against Tennessee with bad blocking. Scott led the SEC in touchdowns in '08 and Hester was the most popular offensive player on the '07 National Championship Team. But Spencer Ware, Michael Ford and Alfred Blue are beginning into their groove now.


I'm not talking about Kelvin Sheppard, Matt Flynn, Josh Jasper, Demetrius Byrd, Drake Nevis, Gary Crowton, Glenn Dorsey, Ali Highsmith, or any other player/coach from the last few seasons either.


The LSU Tigers are missing close, nail-biting, "Lucky Les Mad Hatter Wizardry" finishes to games this year.

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Tiger Talk -- More Wednesday Hot Links

There has never been a day with this much big news regarding LSU football in a long time. Local reporters here in Baton Rouge are on their A-Game.

Here are more hot links from one of the craziest days in LSU football history...

Les Miles agrees in a principle to a new contract with LSU football that will stay pay him the same base salary of $3.751 million a year.

Glen Gilbeau of Gannett Louisiana Newspapers says Gary Crowton will not return next season.

LSU strength coach Tommy Moffitt will not accept the same position at Tennessee according to Wes Rucker of 247 Sports.

The Daily Reveille reports four-star running back commitment Jeremy Hill has been arrested on charges of oral sexual battery. Reporter Ryan Ginn breaks down the incident and says LSU should be fine without Hill.

Ridley for Heisman?

Preconceived notions.

I hate them. I hate them. I hate them.

I fell victim to "PN" a few weeks ago when I wrote my West Virginia Prediction piece. I underestimated LSU running back Stevan Ridley's ability to run the football.

Ridley deserves to be in the Heisman discussion. He's not going to win it. In fact, he isn't even the leading contender on his own team.

StiffArmTrophy.com's weekly Top 25 shows Ridley is no where to be found amongst the Top 25 in the country for the award. The poll was done by 65 actual Heisman trophy voters from 36 states.

But just because he's not getting any recognition, that doesn't mean he shouldn't be amongst the chatter now.

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Tiger TV -- Sports Showtime Analyst

I made an appearance on this week's "Sports Showtime"on Tiger TV. This was my first appearance (12:00 mark) as an analyst on the show in two years, so please forgive the rust.

Fans ask me who should be the starter at quarterback, if Russell Shepard should get some snaps at quarterback and my thoughts on the Tigers so far this season.

A new "Sports Showtime" happens every Tuesday. For listings on all of the shows that air on Tiger TV, check out their website.

"Lucky Les" is the Luckiest Coach in America

"Lucky Les" sure is Lucky
Photo via cfbexaminer

Les Miles is the luckiest coach alive.

I am not the only person who agrees with that statement.

When the clock struck zero for the first time, LSU fell to 4-1 in the season. The Tennessee Volunteers pulled the upset of the day in college football. Derek Dooley pulled of his signature win in front of the fifth largest crowd in the history of Tiger Stadium.   

But only Les Miles gets a second chance for the clock to run out.

The Tigers, like they did versus Ole Miss last year, had problems managing the clock when it mattered most. LSU had first and goal on the Vols two-yard line with 36 seconds remaining.

On the first play, Miles attempted a play action pass on first down with Jarrett Lee that fell incomplete. Lee said after the game the ball was targeted for Rueben Randle.

On second down, Miles subbed in struggling Jordan Jefferson to play quarterback. His number was called to the right side, where he was stopped at the one-yard line.

Tick-Tock. Tick-Tock.    

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Peterson, Randle on LSU Victory Over Tennessee

Patrick Peterson talks about LSU's 16-14 victory over Tennessee. Peterson gives some thoughts on No. 7 playing offense.



LSU wide receiver Rueben Randle talks about the final few plays in the Tigers' thrilling 16-14 victory over Tennessee.

T-Bob Hebert -- LSU vs Tennessee Postgame

LSU center T-Bob Hebert talks about LSU's stunning 16-14 victory over Tennessee.

Miles, Dooley Postgame Pressers

Postgame press conferences from LSU's Les Miles and Tennessee's Derek Dooley.

Three Things to Look For -- LSU vs Tennessee Prediction

LSU is 1-8 over the last two years on CBS.
Photo via CapstoneReport

The LSU Tigers take on the Tennessee Volunteers Saturday at 2:30 p.m. The Volunteers come into Baton Rouge with a 2-2 record under first year head coach Derek Dooley.

LSU Football has been receiving much national attention through the superhuman efforts of Patrick Peterson so far this year. His "Swag" and ability to take the ball to the house every time he touches it had Tiger Stadium going into a frenzy in the victory versus West Virginia. 

If Tennessee special teams coach Eric Russell wants to keep his job, he must tell his punter to not kick the ball remotely in Peterson's region. Since "PP7" said he doesn't want to call fair catch any more this season, I wouldn't be surprised if Mike the Tiger has a better chance of taking one back.   

Outside of the special teams play, here are three more things to keep an eye on Saturday...

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