Reality check

I love LSU fans. They have some of the most optimistic souls in the country.

I'll give you an example. This one man (who shall remain nameless) calls the office the other day.

"You tell Guilbeau, LSU is going 8-8 and going to the NCAA Tournament.''

"You realize,'' I said, "LSU is 3-7 in the SEC right now.''

"I know. But we're going to beat Florida. You watch.''

At this point, I'm thinking, not only is it a stretch to think LSU is going to beat Florida, but LSU is going to have a tough time at Ole Miss because the Rebels have played pretty good basketball at home.

What do you know, I was right.

Yes, LSU should have won the Ole Miss game.

But the last pass thrown as poorly in Oxford, Miss., as Big Baby's was that interception Matt Mauck threw back in 2003. The difference was Mauck had a good enough defense to overcome his mistake. No such luck for Big Baby.

So with eight conference losses, the defending SEC champion won't have a winning conference record this season. One more loss and you can drive an NCAA fork through them.

And to make matters worse, LSU's crash has gotten national notice. ESPN lists LSU in a poll for most disappointing team this season.