Columns

Bulldogs not ready for SEC West battle

This is the ninth team in the SEC football preview series: Mississippi State fans should be thankful for the Ole Miss struggles as it will keep the Bulldogs out of the SEC West cellar. MSU should win its first two games against Charleston Southern (96.

Georgia plans to win East

The Florida-Georgia line is more than a boundry or the name of a country band. The fine line between winning the SEC East recently has been determined at the showdown between the Gators and the Bulldogs. Florida has won the last three and captured two straight SEC East titles.

Florida will look to repeat

This is the sixth team in the SEC football preview series: After back-to-back SEC titles, it may be harder for Florida to grab a threepeat in 2017. Jim McElwain’s Gators could have a great season with 10 wins and another trip to the SEC championship game.

Tennessee’s trip to the top could be rocky

This is the fifth team in the SEC football preview series: The Tennessee Volunteers have improved each season under the direction of Butch Jones. In the past four years, the Volunteers were, 5-7, 7-6, 9-4 and 9-4.

Gamecocks face tough road

This is the fourth team in the SEC football preview series: South Carolina managed to win six games and go bowling in 2016, but that could be a challege to repeat this season. Some experts predict a 5-7 finish for South Carolina, others think the opposite will happen.

Kentucky hopes to be SEC East dark horse

This is the third teeam in the SEC football preview series: Kentucky sat home duing the bowl season for six straight times until last year’s TaxSlayer Bowl. Wildcat fans not only want that streak to continue but they also hope Kentucky can move up the ladder in the SEC East.

Vanderbilt fighting for respect

This is the second of SEC football preview series: Vanderbilt made it to a bowl game in 2016 and Commodore fans are expecting the same this season. Derek Mason’s third year was a thriller for Vanderbilt by beating Georgia, Ole Miss and Tennessee and qualifying for the Independence Bowl.

Missouri looking to improve

This is the first of SEC football preview series: Missouri is known as the “show me” state and the Zou fans are hoping the football team shows improvement. The Tigers made it to the SEC title game in 2013 and 2014.

Does God care who wins the game?

In my career as a sportswriter, I have been privileged to meet a lot of athletes, coaches and parents. I have written stories that included men and women of integrity and other I wouldn’t trust with my house keys.

LSUE opens 4-1 in Island tourney

GALVESTON – The top-ranked LSU Eunice softball team finished the Galveston Island Invitational tournament with a 4-1 record after knocking off Kilgore, Snead and Baton Rouge om Saturday.