The turkey is eaten; it’s question time

High school football is over and high school basketball is here.

College football’s season is over, but the bowl season is here.

The Saints are cruising, LSU got hosed, the Pels are struggling and you guys have questions about what it all means.

In this week’s mailbag, we discuss it all, so let’s dive in.

Thanks to all for their questions. If you have one of your own, please send to casey@rushing-media.com.

Q: We have to ask — what did you think of the LSU debacle? (Asked by Hyri, Houma)

A: As an unbiased journalist, I can say that it’s unfortunate that LSU fought so hard, at times played so well, and was unable to get a win in front of a hostile crowd on the road at a great SEC venue. I can say that LSU had chances and if not for a muffed punt, missed field goal and several third or fourth and long conversions, the team could have still won. OK, now that all of that crap is out of the way, as an alum and fan, I can say that it’s a disgrace and another act of officiating corruption in a SEC that has the trust of no fan base within the league (sans Alabama). Referee Matt Austin should be fired immediately for how that game was handled. Just google the name “Matt Austin referee” and you’ll see message board threads for days from fanbases who don’t value his work. He’s lost the trust of everyone in the league and has long been a problem. His crew should be pretty close behind, because they’re in on the charade, too. Those guys missed easy, basic calls like false starts, illegal shifts and elementary calls that absolutely cannot be missed. And that’s not even talking about the fact that Texas A&M got the benefit of replay on every, single 50/50 call late in the game and only committed 3 penalties in 200 snaps — a ratio that is near-impossible — if not for a greater force at play. My heart breaks for LSU because not only did they lose, they were cheated. All of this has started since Greg Sankey has become SEC Commissioner, replacing the late Mike Slive, who was an exceptional man and a wonderful commissioner. But Sankey is a coward who is doing a rotten job in his position, hiding behind the championships the league is winning as a crutch to justify his position. Everyone agrees with me. I know. I hear the talk off the record all of the time. But people don’t have the platform or courage to say it publicly for fear of retribution. I’m free of those chains. Unlike the SEC and its member schools, the University of Alabama doesn’t own me, nor this paper. The SEC Athletic Directors need to band together and force him out or more things like this will happen because he’s 100 percent asleep at the wheel.

Q: Are the Saints the best team in the NFL? (Asked by Russ, Houma)

A: If they’re not, they’re certainly in one of a pool of just 3-4 teams, most certainly. The Saints’ offense is a cheat code right now and nothing will stop them except attrition, turnovers or penalties. But heck, there are a lot of teams who can say the same. The Rams, Chiefs, Patriots, Steelers and others have offenses capable of scoring 30-50 points — depending on the flow of a game on a given week. But what I think is the difference maker right now for New Orleans is its defense. They still give up yards from time-to-time, but they generate a lot of big plays — either in sacks or turnovers. I think the Saints are going to be one of the last teams alive at the end. If they get home field advantage, they just might win it all.

Q: Is LSU basketball for real? (Asked by Tim, Houma)

A: I am glad I got this question because I have a bone to pick with Will Wade. There is no doubt that Will Wade is a terrific recruiter and he’s given new life to the LSU basketball program. For that, I am grateful. But I think there are a lot of on-court flaws with Wade’s coaching philosophy that will prevent the Tigers from winning close, hard-fought games under his watch. Wade goes and speaks at coaching clinics around Louisiana. I’ve seen him twice myself. At those clinics, he always talks about how he’s not big on rebounding and how he thinks that’s an overrated facet of the game. Well, coach, I disagree and, quite frankly, I think that’s stupid to say. LSU has been hammered on the glass this season and that’s been a factor in several of the team’s games. Adjust, adapt and evolve, coach. You desperately need it right now.

Q: Who is the team to look out for in high school basketball locally? (Asked by Rose, Thibodaux)

A: Well, for the girls, I think we can pencil Houma Christian in as a high-seed in Division IV. The Lady Warriors have a ton of players back off a dominant squad last season and they have the best girls’ basketball coach in the area on their bench in Kathy Luke. So we can start there and move outward. I think on the girls’ side, Ellender will be a force, but I also think South Lafourche is quietly going to be really good, too. Heck, they lost a ton. But they opened their season with wins against Thibodaux and H.L. Bourgeois. They’re super young, but I coached some of that youth. Those kids can play. On the boys’ side, I think Terrebonne is loaded with talent — almost an embarrassment of riches like they had in football. I also think South Terrebonne is a sleeper team, as-is H.L. Bourgeois. Assumption isn’t in our area, but their boys’ team is loaded in the Class 4A district, as well.

Q: Looking ahead, who are the top football squads next fall? (Asked by Darren, Houma)

A: Sha, Darren, you’re putting me on the spot here, brother! That is almost a year away. I think Central Lafourche will be awfully good, as will Thibodaux. Both teams were young and athletic. The Trojans return some dominant receivers and an elite halfback in Deon Jenkins. Coming out to Terrebonne Parish, honestly, I think Terrebonne will be one of the teams to beat again. The Tigers lose a lot. There’s absolutely no doubt about that. But they return a lot, too. And heck, their varsity team wasn’t the only team to prosper this fall — their JV and freshman teams were dominant, too. I think there’s a really good chance that Terrebonne is a playoff team next season — a team more than capable of making a run once in the bracket.

Q: Who would you pick with the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft next spring? (Asked by Pete, Houma)

A: It depends on the team with the pick, obviously, and what their respective needs are. but if I am just grading who I think the best, most NFL-ready player in the draft is, I think Quinnen Williams from Alabama is the best college football player I’ve seen this year — if not ever. Those are bold words, but the guy is an absolute monster and disruptive force on the edges for the Crimson Tide. Heck, just look at the LSU/Alabama game. The Tigers tried blocking him with one player to no avail. Then they tried to chip him. That didn’t work. Then they tried to double-team him. That didn’t work. Then they went to max-protect. And guess what? That didn’t work, either. Williams is the most disruptive force I’ve seen in college football this season and with how important pass rushing is at that level, I can’t imagine that he wouldn’t be a Top 5 pick — if not No. 1 overall.

Q: What’s going on with the Pelicans? (Asked by Nick, Raceland)

A: I don’t know that anything is necessarily “going on” with the Pelicans. I think they’re just an average basketball team, who is doing exactly what average teams do. What bothers me most about the Pelicans is their lack of consistent fire. They’ll play the Warriors or Rockets and look like a true, bonafide NBA Championship contender. But then they’ll play the Knicks or Bulls and sleepwalk through 75 percent of the game and either win at the last second or lose. That’s on Alvin Gentry, but you know what? It’s also on Anthony Davis, too. Davis is a Top 3 talent in the NBA, but I refuse to call him a Top 3 player because in the NBA, Top 3 players win ballgames consistently. Until he shows me that he can day-in, day-out be that dominant force, I’m not giving him that honor. Until he proves to me that he can play more than 5-6 games without missing a week with a nagging injury, I’m not sold.

I have some room, so let’s get a few non-sports questions.

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Q: Give me a NetFlix show. You know I always ask. (Asked by Jennifer, Houma)

A: I have 3-4 loyal readers who ask me about NetFlix every, single month. I want you guys to know that I think that’s awesome. This month, I’d recommend Dogs — the new documentary NetFlix released. It’s absolutely incredible. This isn’t on NetFlix, but I’d also recommend Christopher Robin as a good family film during the holidays. I will say this. I absolutely, positively cannot wait for Welcome to Marwen. I think that has a chance to be one of the best movies of all-time. I am a huge fan of Steve Carell and the storyline behind that movie is just amazing.

Q: Played any good video games lately? (Asked by Ross, Houma)

A: The new Madden is excellent. The new NBA2K is excellent. But if we’re not talking about sports games, I’ve heard great things about Red Dead Redemption II. I must admit, I’ve not played this title myself, but people I really trust have said it’s excellent. I do know the first game was excellent. This isn’t a new game, but Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze is an excellent title on the Nintendo Switch and Wii U. That’s a good, family-friendly video game.

Matt Austin

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