Hotty Toddy, not a Nighty!
For the third time this season, CBS has denied the LSU Tigers the chance to play in the environment in which they thrive: at night in Death Valley. CBS announced this week that the Nov. 22 matchup between the LSU Tigers and the Ole Miss Rebels will kickoff at 2:30 p.m.
Afternoon home games haven’t been good to the Tigers this year; both of LSU’s home losses this season came following a CBS-dictated 2:30 p.m. kickoff.
Like vampires in an Anne Rice novel, Baton Rogue just isn’t as intimidating while the sun is still out. Since 1960, LSU is 20–22–3 (.476) in day games at Tiger Stadium.
It's night in the bayou that strikes Southern-Gothic terror: since 1960, LSU is 201–59–3 (.773) at night in Tiger Stadium. In fact, LSU has not lost a Saturday night game in Death Valley since the 2002 season.
The Rebels will head to Baton Rogue looking to break a six-game losing streak to the Tigers. The early kickoff may be an omen: the Alabama Crimson Tide broke a five-game losing streak last Saturday, following a 2:30 p.m. kickoff.
LSU leads Ole Miss in the series 55-37-4. However, if the Rebels could pull out a win this season, they can claim a 1-0 lead in the history of the "Magnolia Bowl,” as the traditional LSU—Ole Miss rivalry was rebranded this year.
*Main photo courtesy of Chris Graythen/Getty Images
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about 1 month ago
Evidence that television and marketing holds waaaay too much sway in sports. This honestly sickens me.
from about 1 month ago
Unfortunately, having CBS in control of the scheduling has meant no big night games for LSU. It's a shame, because the environment in Baton Rogue for a big game under the lights is completely different. As long as CBS is shellin' out the millions, though, they'll retain control over the schedules.
about 1 month ago
Exactly. It's the same thing with Notre Dame's NBC contract. Some of the more epic games from years past at ND were night games. Ironically, a large portion of those night games were televised on CBS.
about 1 month ago
So... you guys need a certain time to play (at home mind you) in order to increase your chances at winning. And to top it all off, you whine win you don't get that certain time?
Who plays your games? The team, or the fans? Oh and the fans seem to be vampires who can only come out to play at certain times after the sun goes down.
You people are pathetic. And you wonder why the rest of the nation laugh at you and calls you coonass.
from about 1 month ago
Bryant-Denny is a better environment at night as well. In afternoon games at Bryant-Denny, the entire east side of the stadium sweats through three quarters, and that side of the stadium is noticeably less enthusiastic, with the exception of the student section, most of whom are either too plastered to care, or (like the frat section) just leaves in the second quarter so they can get started drinking.
And I can remember when Bama fans used to whine about having to play at Legion Field, because "Alabama can't be beat in Tuscaloosa."
about 1 month ago
it's when not win David, jeesh. Stop Drinking!
about 1 month ago
I also think this is silly. Do LSU's players really need it to be night to play their best? Or is it that the fans need all day to get drunk enough to make a difference? Blaming a loss on an afternoon start in November is a little stupid, especially when you realize the last half of the game is at night, under the lights.
from about 1 month ago
Whatever the reason, the numbers don't lie. Nights in Baton Rogue make a difference.
about 1 month ago
I can remember when we used to argue about such things, back when we didn't have a good coach and every game was in doubt. We were looking for any advantage we could get. Because we needed it.
Sounds a lot like "Less" Miles and the direction LSU is headed.
Face it, Alabama is king in the SEC west right now, one day years from now when you guys get a better coach again, you can rub it in our faces, but for right now, we are the ones doing the rubbing.
Who won that game again? I missed the overtime, was it LSU that intercepted a pass and scored, I forget!
from about 1 month ago
Wow. Glad to know it didn't take some Bama fans long to get back their swagger. I was worried that the Tide might have to, oh... I don't know... actually win a Championship first.
Oh, wait, that's right, Alabama won the coveted SEC West Crown. Otherwise known as Champions of the "We Haven't Really Won Anything Yet." Congrats. Bama is back!
You can put the ring in the case by the Recruiting-Ranking-Except-For-ESPN Championship!
Now if only there was a So-Desperate-For-A-Championship-That-We'll-Bluster-About-Any-Accomplishment-No-Matter-How-Meaningless Championship...
I agree. Stop drinking.
about 1 month ago
Last I checked, it is prestigious just to play for the championship.
It means you HAVE accomplished something.
Like beating your rivals.
I'll take it, and if we do somehow win, even better.
The real problem is that LSU fans are scared to death that they wont even get to go and play in atlanta because Alabama is going to start beating them every year again. Just like it was before Saint Nick came to Baton Rouge. Your team was not even a blip on a radar.
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