Better things to do?

Am I the only person struck by the funny juxtaposition of a couple of newspapers today? There, on the cover of USA Today, is a story headlined, "Crime takes hold of new New Orleans.'' And on the same day, in newspapers throughout Louisiana, there was a story headlined, "Blanco pushes LSU to BCS bowl groups.''

So we have a state recovering from the greatest natural disaster to ever hit this country. Crime is spiraling out of control in what used to be the state's largest city before the disaster. And Gov. Kathleen Blanco is on the phone with the men in the funny-looking coats.

Wow.

I know sports is important to a lot of people, but I've got to figure there are better ways for the governor to spend her time these days.

Here is my thought. LSU is 10-2 on the field and No. 5 in the BCS standings. The school is nearing the 40,000 mark for Rose Bowl ticket sales. If that's not enough to get LSU into the Rose Bowl, then so be it.

Yes, I know LSU fumbled last year and dropped all the way to the Peach Bowl with a team that played - and lost bad - in the SEC Championship Game.

But this year, LSU is in better shape - even without Blanco.