Yep, this is primarily a Catholic blog by a Catholic deacon yet this Catholic deacon does love football. For almost like forever my two favorite teams to follow are the LSU Tigers, our flagship state university and home to two of my children for a combined 10+ years and the NFL New Orleans Saints, everyday since that first kick-off in September of 1967.
Yes I have personally experienced two NCAA College Football Championships with LSU, 2003 and 2007, and one Super Bowl championship with the Saints after the 2009 season in February 2010. Since those dates both have done decidedly well, although the Saints did have three non-winning years since the Super Bowl.
As 2018 begin the story on LSU was don't expect much; lots of rebuilding, uncertainty at QB. Experts mostly settled in on 7-5 with plenty of 6-6. Some opined on a losing season and a quick exit for Coach O. I am happy to report tonight that with 2 games to go LSU is 8-2. Great season. Yes, there has been some sloppy play like last nights limp to the finish line and yes there was losses at Florida and the annual ass kicking from Alabama, but there was impressive, unexpected wins against the likes of Miami, Auburn and at the time #2 Georgia. They dispatched the two schools in Mississippi and then last night the Razorbacks. LSU has been good, better than expected QB play from transfer Joe Burrow, some inspired running, at times, stout defense most of the time, bend don't break d-back play and a PK who can actually kick.
All of this combines for the impressive 8-2 and left to play are Rice and Texas A&M, a most difficult end of the year road game in College Station. With no hope for big dreams thanks to Alabama again, LSU can play for a 10 win season and a shot at the Sugar Bowl, if they beat the Aggies. Yes, I am banking on a win vs. Rice.
In any event, LSU did not ring my bell last night against Arkansas but a win is a win and that was #8, more than I, and many others, predicted. As Coach O always says: Geaux Tigers!
And now the Saints, many predicting and hoping for another magical season. And then boom, in game #1 they get laid out in a Tampa Bay smackdown led by a 2nd string QB. How did we miss the signs? Obviously not good enough; another break even kind of season? Well fast forward 8 weeks and 8 wins later and the Saints are at the top of the NFL. Tonight, they are considered one of the Top 4 elite teams for the 2018 campaign so far. Drew Brees, breaking all time records and all, is out of control good this year. The O-line has emerged as the best in the NFL. We have Kamara and Ingram back together again and Michael Thomas is the best WR in the NFL this year. And after just a couple of weeks, the ok defense became great again. Strong tough D from both the linemen and the backers and finally the d-backs too. Coach Payton has this team poised for something special; perhaps another run for a Super Bowl. With the win against the Rams they Saints can hold the home field advantage when playoff time arrives, IF, the Saints keep playing just like they have been. Time will tell.
So on 11-11-2018 as I sit here tonight and reflect on a ton of things, I am happy at the 8-1 record of the Saints and the 8-2 record of the LSU Tigers. At this point, both are very strong and hopefully will yield much more excitement and success for the remainder of this football season!
Geaux Saints. Geaux Tigers!
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