A special welcome to our newest listener. Congrats to proud papa JJ!

From LSU.edu:

"The LSU tiger mascot, Mike V, passed away at 2:23 a.m. on May 18. Mike V was born October 19, 1989, and has been at LSU since he was four months old. He was 17 years old at the time of his passing.

During his tenure, Mike V reigned over a football national championship, five baseball national championships and a remarkable 23 track and field championships. He saw LSU sports teams win 37 Southeastern Conference titles from 1990 to 2007.


Mike was brought to the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine on Wednesday, May 16, for a routine exam. His veterinarian, Dr. David Baker, noticed that he was having trouble breathing the day before. During the exam, it was discovered that he had a condition called idiopathic chylothorax. This is a serious condition with a poor prognosis. Because of this condition, Mike had to have emergency surgery to remove 10 liters of fluid from around his lungs. Given his age all surgeries are risky, but without surgery it is doubtful that he would have lived another week. As a result of the anesthesia, Mike's kidneys failed. He was placed on renal dialysis, but treatment was unsuccessful.

A necropsy will be performed at the School of Veterinary Medicine to determine, if possible, the cause of the chylothorax. Mike will then be cremated.

Mike V was donated to LSU by Dr. Thomas and Caroline Atchison of the Animal Zoological Park in Moulton, Ala. He was introduced to LSU fans at the LSU-Alabama basketball game in February 1990, and he was moved into his home, north of Tiger Stadium, on April 30, 1990.

When Mike V first came to LSU, his night house was part of the original habitat constructed in 1937. In 1981, Mike's outdoor enclosure had a $175,000 renovation, making it three times larger. The renovation added a grassy area, pool, climbing platforms, and a tiger-sized wooden scratching post. The grassy area was covered with a soft rubber material in the early 1990s.

A capital fund-raising campaign kicked off in 2001 to raise funds to build a new habitat for Mike V. Construction began in November 2004 and was completed in August 2005. The new habitat incorporates natural substrates, including grass, and also includes elements of LSU's renaissance architecture and facts educating Mike's visitors on the five living subspecies of tigers.

Two of LSU's Tiger mascots, Mike I and Mike III, lived 19 years, and Mike IV lived 20 years 9 months and 18 days. The average lifespan for a tiger in the wild is about 8-10 years. A tiger in captivity, like Mike V, can live 14-18 years.

Plans are underway to acquire a new tiger."

We are a mere 24 hours away from the greatest spring weekend in football....The NFL Draft.  Be sure to visit www.geauxshow.com for an in depth breakdown of the draft with a new Geaux Show Podcast sometime next week.  Join Cody, Patrick, and I (Carey) as we take a look at where your favorite LSU Tigers will be making more money than you and I next season, along with any draft day surprises.  Oh, we might let JJ back on as well.  We will also grade Sean Payton and the Saints' draft as well.  And as always, we encourage listener feedback with your thoughts on the NFL Draft.  You can do this by emailing us at the Geaux Show inbox, which is geauxshow@gmail.com.  Or, contact the hotline and leave us a recorded message at 206-600-4LSU (4578).

Coming off such a successful start, I am back by popular demand.  It is version 2.0 of Big Wee's Tackle Football Picks.  Last week I was 6-3 against the spread, 7-2 overall, and while that was an impressive start for the first week, I look to improve on those numbers this week.

I'm sure most of you already know that Louisville has stated its claim to play for the National Title with a 44-34 victory over West Virginia last night at Papa John's Cardinal Stadium.  The Cardinals are currently 5th in the BCS behind Florida.  Will the win against West Virginia, 3rd in the BCS currently, be enough to vault Louisville ahead of Flordia come Sunday afternoon?

Let's get started:

LSU (6-2, 2-2) at Tennessee (7-1, 3-1) LSU by 3.5

There will never be a better opportunity for LSU to win a big game on the road this season than right now.  After playing Idle St. last week and Danny Ainge's nephew hobbled with an ankle injury, LSU has an excellent chance to take out Phat Phil and the Vols in Knoxville this weekend.  LSU needs to show its fans that it can go on the road and not make mistakes.  I think LSU's time is now.  LSU 26 UT 6.

Florida (7-1, 5-1) at Vanderbilt (4-5, 1-4) UF by 17

Vandy is dead set on not being the conference's worst team this season.  They are playing teams tough, and they have the Gators coming to their house.  Vandy made me look good last week with that solid cover against the Dukies, a team that only lost to Miami by 5.  Theoretically, Vandy could beat Miami.  They won't beat Florida, though they will keep it close.  UF 30 Vandy 20.

Mississippi State (2-7, 0-5) at Alabama (6-3, 2-3) Bama by 15

Bama almost made me look bad last week by scoring a lot of points.  Moo U is just plain garbage.  They solidified their spot as the garbage team of the conference last week and will have a tough time scoring points against the Elephants. Bama 24 Moo U 3.

Georgia (6-3, 3-3) at Kentucky (4-4, 2-3) Georgia by 7

Georgia has proven to be a bad football team this year, but Kentucky is worse.  I bet the Cocks would love another shot at UGA, but that is besides the point.  This week it is UK's turn to try and make UGA fans that more sick with their football team.  After trailing big to UF last week, UGA showed some heart to only lose by 7.  They can't get beat by Kentucky, can they?  No. But....UGA 28 UK 24.

Northwestern State (4-4, 2-2) at Ole Miss (2-7, 1-5) Off

Ole Miss gets a breather after that near upset last weekend versus Auburn.  Don't look now, but Moo U., you have very good competition for that garbage spot that I know you hold so near and dear to your hearts.  Can't wait to give analysis on that Egg Bowl.  Ole Miss 42 Northwestern State 13.

Arkansas St. (5-3, 3-1) at Auburn (8-1, 5-1) Auburn by 30

Auburn gets one more warm up before heading into the home stretch of the SEC schedule.  Arkansas St. is a decent Sun Belt Conference team, but it won't translate into much when travel to Auburn this weekend.  War Friggin' Chicken 42 Arkansas St. 3.

Arkansas (7-1, 4-0) at South Carolina (5-3, 3-3) Arkansas by 3

Arkansas will kickoff what will be a very tough stretch of SEC games in November.  That win against Auburn has given that team alot of confidence, which they will need in the upcoming weeks.  The Cocks come off of a tough loss at the hands of UT.  Hopefully, they don't throw in the towel.  Cause, speaking as an LSU fan, we need 'em.  I am giving the Cocks the karma and calling for the cover and outright win in my ******UPSET SPECIAL******* Cocks 24 Backs 21.

TOP 25

Boston College at Wake Forest - B.C. by 3.5 - I like B.C. 26 Wake 17.

Oklahoma at Texas A&M - Boomer Sooner by 2.5 - The Sooners continue to impress me without Peterson and a converted WR playing QB.  Boomer Sooner 30 ATM 23.

And with that, week 2 will come to a close, as will my NFL picks.  I think I am just going to stick with college.  The Saints pissed me off that much.  I throw them a bone, and they throw it back and crack my windshield.  See y'all next week.

GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!

 

 

 

This is a new segment I have decided to add to the already brilliant information page that is geauxshow.com.  All over the country, you can tune into Fox Sports South, North, West, East, SouthNorthernEasternWestMidsouth, and ESPN 1-474734634 to get your daily fix of pro and college picks.  And, yes they will probably be able to break down Toledo vs. Northern Illinois better than I because that is there job.  And until I get very popular doing the geauxshow podcast and writing for the site, this is something I have to do in my spare time.  In addition, I feel that most of the fans have gotten their fill of "in depth" analysis from the likes of Lou Holtz and Trev Alberts - Does he still have a job in college football?  Possibly on FSN Northwestern-EastMidwest-Southwestern?  Anyway, that is not important. 

So, that being said, I would like to join in on the fun and deliver my own special unique brand of football picks for the upcoming weekend - both college and professional.  Here is how it is going to work.  Since this is exclusively a website dedicated to LSU, and since LSU plays in the SEC, I will make SEC picks weekly.  Also, I will look at the rest of the top 25 schedule and make picks on games that feature teams both ranked in the top 25.  Also, if I see a game that features none of these characteristics but feel it is important to talk about, I will do just that.  Professional, I will pick Saints vs. Opponent winner and one or two other games that bear some significance to your lives and mine.

So, without further adu, I present to you, for the first time ever on geauxshow.com, (Hit that cool little drumroll please...) BIG WEE's TACKLE FOOTBALL PICKS (Enhance drumroll and slowly fade out...)

SEC ACTION

Auburn (7-1, 4-1) at Ole Miss (2-6, 1-4) Spread: Auburn by 19

You ever think Ole Miss fans would want David Cutcliff back?  If the Rebels keep losing, they will be looking for Coach Zero's head pretty soon.  I got bad news for Zero, there are no Manning's fixing to enroll in Oxford any time soon.  Auburn had one hiccup against Arkansas back in early October and seem to be back on track after beating Florida the week after.  Ole Miss probably still has hatred for Tubby.  I mean let's face it...I'm sure we all do.  And this just might be enough for the Hotty Totty to cover.  Auburn 33 Ole Miss 16.

Vanderbilt (3-5, 1-4) at Duke (0-7, 0-5) Spread: Vandy by 10.5

Can you feel it in the air?  It must be fall and you know the college football season in its down time when Vandy and Duke are set to face off.  But, watchout.  Both teams have had solid performances against traditional top 25 programs recently.  Vandy upset UGA two weeks ago between the hedges in Athens, while Duke nearly defeated Da U last week, losing by 5 and blowing a chance to win at the end of the game.  You know your team is in a bad way when you are a 10 point underdog against Vandy at home.  Vandy 28 Duke 13.

Kentucky (3-4, 1-3) at Mississippi State (2-6, 0-4) Spread: UK by 2

The good news for UK is that they have company down at the bottom of the SEC East standings.  However, the same cannot be said about Moo U.  They have a firm hold on that cellar dweller spot in the SEC West and have had it for a long time.  UK can stick their chest out a bit because they have one win in conference play this season.  Which is why I say take KY Jelly and the points.  30-20 Cats.

Florida International (0-7, 0-3) at Alabama (5-3, 2-3) Spread: Bama by 36

FIU still has some players out, still suspended from that Miami incident a few weeks ago.  So, logically, you would think Bama is a lock to cover.  Guess again.  Bama has only scored over 36 points once this season, and that was against UL-Monroe.  It's nothing against Bama, but their offense is just not set up to score that many points.  I like Bama big, just not Chris Farley right before he died big.  Bama 34 FIU 7.

Georgia (6-2, 3-2) vs. Florida (6-1, 4-1) at Jacksonville - Spread: Florida by 13.5

UGA has struggled to find its identity this season.  They have struggled to find points as well to.  And they have given up way too many points on defense to teams that should not be scoring that many points on them.  There are plenty things wrong in Athens, and that football team ain't so hot either.  But this is a fierce rivalry, and UGA just might get up enough to make this one closer than some people might think based on UGA's recent play.  UF has proven to be vulnerable in some key spots this season, and if UK can play UF tough, I am sure UGA can do the same.  Florida 35 UGA 27.

UL-Monroe (1-6, 0-4) at Arkansas (6-1, 4-0) Spread: Arky by 36.5

Lay the points.  Do you really need me to say anything about this game?  I can try to spend time to say something funny about ULM, but that would be wasting your time as well as mine.  If you feel that I should have covered this game more in depth, please shoot me an email at idontgiveacrap@getalife.com.  Arkansas 52 ULM 6.

Tennessee (6-1, 2-1) at South Carolina (5-2, 3-2) Spread: UT by 3.5

I think the only reason Steve Spurrier came back to coach in the SEC was to torment Phil Fulmer.  Any team that is comfortable with their mascot bieng named Cocky is okay in my book.  USC looked very bad early in the season, but have seemed to have picked up steam after that near upset of Auburn a few weeks back.  We will defintitely see how good this team is in the upcoming weeks.  UT needs to keep winning if they want any shot of playing for an SEC title.  This should make for a very good game tomorrow night.  My heart says go with SC, but I think UT a bit too experienced.  UT 28 SC 23. ***PARLAY BUSTER***

OTHER IMPORTANT ACTION

There is only game this week that features two top 25 teams facing one another, and it is a good thing because I think I am developing a small case of carpel tunnel.

(19) Oklahoma (5-2, 2-1) at (23) Missouri (7-1, 3-1) Spread: Mizzou by 2.

Mizzou had a good thing going before being exploited for what they really are against ATM.  The Big 12 version of the Tigers are nothing more than a decent football team this season.  They had a nice run beating some very inferior competition early, but are getting into a pretty rough part of their schedule.  Had Adrian Peterson not unneccarily dove into the endzone a couple of weeks ago and broke his collarbone, I would take Boomer Sooner, but I like Mizzou at home. Missouri 23 Boomer Sooner 20.  Close cover.

NFL

Baltimore (4-2) at New Orleans (5-1) Spread: N.O. by 2

This is another one of those games for the Saints where some of the experts that cover the NFL are waiting for the Saints to lose so they can say the Saints are not a contender.  I think this only feeds the fire for NOLA, and any team coming to the Superdome will have a hard time winning this season.  The Ravens are trying anything to improve on offense.  But the Ravens left whatever offense they had in Cleveland when they left.  Serves them right.  Saints 21 Ravens 13.

Okay, so I lied when I said I would pick one other NFL game.  I am just not feeling it this week.  So, I apologize.  I hope you all liked the inagurual look into a very old and dull looking crystal ball.  See you next week.

GEAUX TIGERS!!!!!!

 

Despite the announcement last SuperBowl that the Superdome would be ready for a Saints game on the 24th (which has been moved to the 25th for MNF), I still had a sinking feeling that just like every other construction job in LA, repairs would fall behind and that the Saints would come back and tear up Tiger Stadium again. Thankfully, Tagliabue announced on Tuesday that not only would the dome be ready but the roof had been finished SEVEN WEEKS ahead of schedual. Combine this with a season ticket sales record and reports of serious talks about finalizing Reggie Bush's contract, and it may just be the best preseason luck the Saints have had in a long time (but i'm not getting rid of my brown bag until after the Falcons game).

Read this story in The Advocate
Picture from Superdome.com

...The Board has approved all of the contracts Skip submitted last Thursday, including the new contracts for Mainieri and two assistants he brought with him from ND...

...Mainieri says that this season "Pitching will be the No. 1 point of emphasis to make us competitive on a consistent basis."...

...Mainieri will be appearing with life-long mentor and Dodgers legend Tommy Lasorda at a Zephyers luncheon on Aug 10th and signing autographs at a Zephyers game that night...

...Glen Davis has reportedly dropped 39 pounds (down to 287) and was a main topic of discussion during Monday's SEC Coaches summer conference call...

...This year will mark the 75th aniversary of Tiger Stadium. LSUSports.net has some great commemerative wallpapers avalible now...

Tommorow Skip will present contracts for the big 4 names in LSU Sports
 (Miles, Brady, Pokey, and Mainieri) to the board for approval. Here's the Cliff Notes:

Miles

1. Total remains at 1.2 mil, not including bonus for good preformance and new bonuses for NCAA Academic Performance Ratio
   
2. Lasts till 2011
3. Release of $400,000 in previously earned bonus
   

Brady

1. Total increases to $900,000 a year, not including bonus for good preformance and new bonuses for NCAA Academic Performance Ratio
   
2. Lasts through 2011
3. No increase in base, only in media appearance compensation

Pokey

1. Total increases to $400,000 a year, not including bonus for good preformance and new bonuses for NCAA Academic Performance Ratio
   
2. Lasts through 2009
3. No increase in base, only in media appearance compensation

Mainieri

1. Starts at $450,000 a year, not including bonus for good preformance and new bonuses for NCAA Academic Performance Ratio
   
2. Lasts through 2011 season
3. Gets additional $150,000 from TAF to payoff ND contract termination penalties

With the exeption of Mainieri, media compensation for all coaches will increase each year.

There are 3 things to take away from this. The Academic Performance Ratio bonuses start at a level higher than what the NCAA requires and are raised every few years. Coach Pokey's short contract may seem unjust, but it probably just means Skip want's to avoid trying to negotiate 4 contracts at once. When you delve deeper into Mainieri's contract you find that he will recieve "$150,000 from equipment provider" as part of his salary. I find it odd that he will be reciving $100,000 more than Miles is reciving from his "shoe and equipment provider". Little resistance, if any is expected from the Board of Supe's.

Read the details on LSUSports.net
Image of new South Endzone Banner from LSUSports.net