July is here. In two weeks, it will be time to pack for SEC Media Days in Tampa. Football practice starts two weeks later.
We’re close.
For now, I’m managing four kids under eight at the beach which is going about as chaotically as you’d expect. The markups on beachside ice cream is impressive. Before I get back to it. Let’s dive into a mailbag.
With the baseball portal slowing a bit, is there any more activity expected?
In short, yes. LSU is hosting visitors this week and could get a commitment. Thomas Allen shut things down on Tuesday and picked Mississippi State. I was told on Monday that LSU would be in play for one more big bat. If that doesn’t work out, the offense would be set entering the draft. It would be a surprise if they do not add another pitcher.
Will LSU get another potential starting pitcher from the portal?
The first answer bleeds into this one. I do not believe there is an arm in the portal that is likely to pick LSU AND beat out Casan Evans, William Schmidt, Cooper Moore, Landon Hood, Reagan Ricken and the freshmen headed to campus.
That would surprise me.
I’m a little bit uncomfortable with LSU “running it back” with the same cast of arms plus Hood and the freshmen. However, Hood could be a difference maker.
What is your gut feeling in late June on who wins the LSU/Ole Miss game in September? With all the emotions on both sides, it appears a big key will be which head coach can keep theirs under control and just coach. Thoughts?
The vast majority of my readership pulls for LSU. The easy answer in July is that I feel like LSU will win the game. That makes everyone happy. With that said, I favor Ole Miss slightly as of today because the Rebels are at home and have what I perceive to be an advantage at quarterback.
I’ve picked every SEC game against the spread for two years and am 10 games below .500, so take m picks for what they’re worth – zero.
But if you made me put two paychecks on it today, I’ll take the home crowd and Trinidad Chambliss. I hope that pick sucks.
Are we going to field a basketball team? I have been waiting to hear about eligibility of guys for a while it seems.
Yes!
My approach is going to be that I’ll believe RJ Luis and Yam Madar are eligible when I see it. Luis has two NBA contracts to his name, and Madar is going to be 26 with significant earnings in his rearview. However, the military time could help LSU.
But there is a solid roster beyond those two. It’s lacking at point guard and frontcourt depth, but it can win some games in the SEC.
LSU has until the end of July to file paperwork for the players in question. That will happen very quickly. Legas work follows. That’s where the timeline gets murky.
Who is going to lead the football team in rushing yards?
I’m convicted in this answer. I think it’s Dilin Jones. He’s got the most imposing build in the backfield, and he was running with the first team a lot in the spring.
Caden Durham and Harlem Berry figure to factor in significantly, but I think Jones is the lead back right now.
