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Your full schedule of all of the 2016-2017 bowl games, including the College Football Playoff, can be found here on the Mothership.
As for LSU, you know most of the details. Saturday (yay), Dec. 31 (yay), at 10 a.m. (boo), in the Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl against the Louisville Cardinals, and presumptive Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. It’s not a New Year’s Six game, but it’s still a high-profile matchup and a chance for the Ed Orgeron Regime to make a big, early statement moving forward. If you wanna know what they’re thinking, go take a look at our SBros over at Card Chronicle.
Coach O had some media availability Sunday afternoon, with some pretty standard bowl-type discussion (Video HERE from WAFB). Excited for the matchup, great bowl destination, the standard plaudits for Jackson, etc...
Among the information of interest: senior linebacker Kendell Beckwith is reported as “out” for the game, but the rest of the team should be good to go, including Leonard Fournette, who Orgeron reported as an enthusiastic attendee for all team functions, still rehabbing his injured ankle. Also back will be wide receiver Travin Dural, and defensive end/OLB Arden Key, who was suspended for the season finale with Texas A&M, on top of battling a shoulder injury.
Orgeron also discussed possible junior NFL defections:
“Most of them we have sat down and talked to," Orgeron said. "Some of them are still up in the air. Some of them are kind of leaning one way or the way."
Other potential draft-eligible underclassmen on the team who are deciding on their futures include defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, receivers Malachi Dupre and D.J. Chark, defensive linemen Frank Herron and Greg Gilmore, tackle K.J. Malone and redshirt sophomore Will Clapp. Defensive tackle Christian LaCouture, a senior who missed the season with a knee injury, participated in senior day ceremonies and will not seek a redshirt.
Godchaux, a three-year starter on LSU’s defensive line, could be headed out early, according to one draft analyst who has received calls from agents concerning Godchaux - a sign the Plaquemine native could jump to the pros.
"It’s never over till it’s over, just like recruiting," Orgeron said.
Fournette and safety Jamal Adams are both near-lock first-round draft picks, and gone. The rest of the class, it’s too early to tell. Godchaux, who comes from a pretty meager background, may have the most pressure to leave and try to grab a paycheck. Every other junior for LSU could benefit from another year, in my opinion.
As for the perspective staff changes, Orgeron made it clear that he doesn’t expect to replace special teams coach Bradley Dale Peveto before the bowl game:
"I think we’re going to handle that in-house. We may get a consultant to come on over," Orgeron said. "Obviously, if the right guy is available, we’ll hire him. But I don’t anticipate that happening before the game. It may or may not, but we’re planning to handle it in-house right now."
As for the offensive coordinator position, Orgeron remains waiting for word on Lane Kiffin. He interviewed with Houston on Sunday, if he doesn’t get that job I expect him to be LSU’s next play-caller. The timetable on that will likely determine whether he, or Steve Ensminger, calls plays in the Citrus Bowl. Yes, there are other names that will be considered if Kiffin is not an option, but the football staff is playing those very close to the vest at the moment.
Meanwhile, in a bit of house keeping news, Dave Aranda officially signed his contract to remain LSU’s DC yesterday. Terms have not been released yet, but various #SAUCES are putting it at around 1.9 Million a year, possibly the highest assistant contract in D1. Also, it was revealed on Friday the DACOACHO is getting a nice $675K lump sum payment for his time as the interim coach. Not bad for two month’s work.
The Lady Tigers scored a nice victory in the SEC BXII challenge on Sunday with a 67-61 win over TCU. The Lady Tigers are now 6-2 on the year and generally seem much improved from last year’s dregs. I’m mainly bringing this up to say that LSU is now on Finals break, with absolutely nothing going on until next Sunday. Y’all send out the good vibes to Adam and Madi and any other students you know.