Hot Boudin, Cold Cous-Cous...

Did You Miss a Test or Something? A Quick Update:

We at HTF have been focusing our energies on Advanced Thermodynamics as of late. So as I clear out the emails from info@lsutaf.org out of my inbox, I'll let you know what I know.

• We got a good helping of Les Miles Speak in the usual Monday press conference. According to coach, "[He] felt like we played much better this week." Refreshing. Coach, um, what about our special teams play? Anything different? "It was nice to see Craig Davis return punts... we started talking about him actually three weeks into the season." Oh, well, it's good to know changes were made almost immediately. What would you say is the biggest difference between Craig Davis and Chevis Jackson when fielding punts? "He fielded them well." So, you're pretty much closing the book on Chev then, huh? "Chevis is one guy [who may return punts]." You realize Buster's about to graduate, right? "Jai Eugene might be one guy who steps forward. Trindon Holliday has to get comfortable with receiving the punt." Les, remind us you're a small-town, average Joe of a coach: "Our kickoff team was darn near perfect."

• Can we get a Keith Zinger injury update? It pretty much deserves its own column by now. "Tight end Keith Zinger, who had a stomach ailment and did not dress out Saturday, is questionable." Keith, you're not even making up good injuries anymore. I've got a stomach ailment most Saturday mornings, too. Coach? "We are waiting to see if he gets a little better." We've pretty much been waiting since the 2002 Cotton Bowl it seems. It's Dick Dickson Time, folks.

• UK coach Rich Brooks... any thoughts? "Obviously, we weren't interested in playing... they took it right down the field and gashed us. It's hard to understand they're sitting here with two losses at this point because they've got some really good players." By that rationale, Rich, Miami would be wrapping up its sixth consecutive conference title instead of using House Protection to motivate themselves against FIU.
  

• Fresno State... they kind of suck, right, Les? "They are really known for being able to reach up and strike great, talented opponents." That's a backhanded compliment if I've ever heard one. Hey, Lester, the Bulldogs are 1-5! "Their record does not really depict their strength." Whatever that means. Any cool names on the Bulldogs? "Bear Pascoe is a big tight end." Fair enough.

• 'Cat Broussard, there were rumors that you left the football team (that I was completely unaware of until now). Thoughts? "I'm still here." JR, can you confirm? "I saw Alley at practice. He was giving good effort. Gave him a few handoffs. He was full speed Monday." JaMaicus, is that a penchant towards five-word statements I'm seeing?

• And then it hit me. It's so simple. A coach not nearly used to this much talent not failing to condition, strategize, or scheme, but failing simply to maintain that not-good-enough mentality Saban most definitely instilled before: "We need to try and bring the same environment to Tennessee and try to be loose and play football the way we know how," sophomore defensive end Tyson Jackson said. "We know we are a good football team no matter who we're playing."

See you HTFers post-test, pre-crunk tomorrow evening.

- P.T.