Link Gumbo 1/22/11 - GEAUX TO HELL OLE MISS!

Yes, it's that time again.

The Ladies kicked off the weekend right with a historic beatdown of the RebelCalamariBlackBears, 78-43. It was the largest home win over Ole Miss in the program's history.

There are tons of stories about this afternoon's game (12:30 tip, details to follow in the game thread) Aside from Malcolm White going against the team he transferred from and Ole Miss' surprising 0-4 conference start that last saw them lose a halftime lead to Vandy, the '81 and '86 Final Four teams are being honored. Rudy Macklin and Ricky Blanton were on hand at ths week's press conference to reminisce about the good times. Video is after the break (It's not very easy to hear, but you can see a full transcript HERE)

Les Miles had a sit down with the local media yesterday afternoon discussing a wide range of topics regarding Kragthorpe and his players. The Highlights:

• Kragthorpe was hired to improve QB and WR play
• on why the OC change "I think the reality of it is, I’m a guy who needs execution. I don’t want to say ‘Boy that was a good idea.’ "
• Starting QB spot: Miles "enjoys competition" makes it clear JJ is the favorite
  
• No problem with Spencer Ware playing baseball
  
• Ryan Baker a MLB candidate (non baseball)
  
• No discussions to move Alfred Blue to LB
  
• Richard Murphy will not seek 6th year

Let the "Who will wear #18?" discussion begin.

We may be taking a cautiously optimistic approach to the Kragthorpe hire, but boy does everyone else think this is a bad move. Varying degrees of negative opinion from Doc Saturday, EDSBS, our bosses at SBNation.com, Billy's colleagues at CFN, and scorned Louisville fans.

Also, I believe this is the first coordinator hired at LSU who came with his own fake twitter account.

Les Miles, making normal look crazy.

More great preseason baseball coverage from Yahoo!: P Kevin Gausman is an impact Freshman, The SEC East is expected to dominate this season, and our main competition in the West, Auburn comes in at #23. 

Also in baseball, ESPN has picked up an additional 11 SEC baseball games for live TV coverage on top of the Thursday night games already announced. So far LSU's TV schedule looks like this: (what Cox and other stations will pick up has not yet been announced)

Sat, Apr 9, 7 p.m., LSU at Arkansas, ESPNU

Sun, Apr 24, 2 p.m., LSU at Vanderbilt, ESPN2

Thu, Apr 28, 6:30 p.m., Kentucky at LSU, ESPNU

The Ducks think that because Chip Kelly is smarter than Les Miles, they will have a decided advantage. 

Despite a big crowd, GYM lost it's home opener to Florida to start the year 0-3 and break a 10-meet home winning streak.

Noted turkey enthusiast and former Vandy OL coach and head coach Robbie Caldwell will not be retiring, manning a tollbooth in Florida, or Head Coaching LSU as former Vandy coaches in the past have done. Instead, he's going back to what he does best and has taken the OL coach spot at Clemson. Their fans are noticeably excited about the hire.

Trent Johnson previews Ole Miss

Rudy Macklin and Ricky Blanton