The newness of fall camp has worn off a bit.
Gameday is still more than two weeks away, and practice access has been limited. Meanwhile the LSU men’s basketball team looks wildly incomplete. Befuddling silence remains.
Let’s dive into your questions this week that touch on both programs as the start of school nears.
What is LSUMBB roster going to look like?? BE SPECIFIC
Right now, LSU has four players listed — Divine Ugochukwu, Abdi Bashir Jr., Austin Nunez and Mo Dioubate. Those are the traditional college transfers. None of the reported foreign players are officially listed. I was told a few weeks ago that not all of those would be on the roster. I still believe that to be true.
We know Yam Madar elected to stay in Europe. I have not heard much on Brice Dessert. I am told Saliou Niang has been in Baton Rouge. No word on his eligibility, though. I feel like Michael Ruzik is a pretty simple eligibility case being that he’s 18 years old.
RJ Luis has also been in the facility, but he may not be eligible.
At this point, my personal confidence in this roster is slipping a little bit. I’m just not sure why there are conceivably six or seven open spots on the roster while these newly eligible fifth year players are committing elsewhere. School starts in two weeks. I’ll give it the two weeks before I really start to grow concerned, but it’s unquestionably odd that the public information is this sparce.
I’ll say this again. I was told a month ago that LSU had double digit players committed to or signed with the roster. I just have no clue why that wouldn’t be public at this point. It doesn’t mean it’s not true. I just don’t get it.
Coming off terrible O-line play last year and a deeper O-line and RB class in ’26, what do you think this year’s run to pass ratio will be?
Some of this equation is going to be based on game flow and situational football. If LSU goes 11-1, that run number is going to be higher to salt away leads. If the Tigers are 8-4, it stands to reason they’ll play from behind more and throw more often.
With that disclaimer, I think Lane Kiffin and Charlie Weis Jr. would like to be 60-40 run-to-pass. Ole Miss was fourth in the SEC in rushing attempts per game last year, sixth the year before and first in 2023. LSU was 16th, 16th and 11th.
I don’t know that LSU will be a great rushing team. I do know they’re going to try. That’s a step in the right direction at the very least.
Can we get a handy inventory of notable fall baseball dates?
Sure. There are three fall scrimmages this year. LSU will play Samford in Biloxi on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1. That’s LSU bye week. The following week, the baseball team will host Troy on Sunday, Nov. 8, after the Alabama game. Then, they will conclude the fall scrimmages with Southeastern at The Box on Nov. 13, which is the Friday before Arch Manning and Texas are in Tiger Stadium. It’s an awesome fall slate.
I don’t have the date of the first fall practice, but it’s generally at the start of October. Jay Johnson likes a late start to get as close to winter break as possible. That makes it easier to get the pitchers ready in January.
Is there a football position battle more interesting than the rest?
I’m most intrigued by defensive tackle. The wide receiver group is unsettled, but it’s a bunch of good players without a first round pick. i’m not sure there’s a huge difference between the first receiver and the fourth.
Running back will shake out. My question is, are they really thinking of starting a pair of true freshman defensive tackles? That sounds fun when you look at recruiting rankings and the future of the position, but is it a strength in 2026? I’m not so sure.
Deuce Geralds and Richard Anderson are going to play. So are Malik Blocton and Stephiylan Green. What the rotation looks like is interesting to me.
Are Cubs legitimate this year? Started off great, cooled off, and now heating back up! Fun team to watch.
This counts as an LSU question with Alex Bregman absolutely sizzling at the plate right now and Kevin Gausman firing seven strong innings in his Cubs debut.
Yes, this team is legitimate. And it can catch the Brewers.
The Dodgers are still the class of the league if their pitching gets healthy, but it’s not right now. The Cubs are as good a bet as anyone to make a run. August can be a drag for football fans, but when your baseball team is in the hunt, it’s exciting as hell. I’m loving it.
