Are you ready for some football? A visit from the Atlanta Falcons stirs emotions with the New Orleans Saints even when both teams struggle. Just ask Aaron Stecker, the newest Falcons player who spent the last five seasons with the Saints. Stecker, the running back who signed with the Falcons on Tuesday, had his first practice with the team Wednesday. Coach Mike Smith says Stecker may make an immediate contribution on special teams when Atlanta plays at New Orleans on Monday night. The first-place Saints are 6-0 and the second-place Falcons are 4-2, prompting Stecker to predict, “It should be crazy” in the Superdome. The Saints and Falcons kick off at 7:30 p.m. Monday in a game that will be televised on ESPN.
Beneficiary of LaFell sticking around: LSU wide receiver Brandon LaFell’s decision to come back for his senior year is benefiting a couple of Tigers. Not only does Quarterback Jordan Jefferson has a dangerous target, but wide receiver Terrance Toliver is taking advantage of the double coverage LaFell draws, reports the Times-Picayune. Toliver leads all LSU receivers in catches, with 34, and he has 442 receiving yards and three touchdowns. “I’m sure glad Brandon stayed,” Toliver told the newspaper. “You have to take advantage of your opportunities when they call your number.” Read the profile of Toliver here. LSU plays Tulane Saturday night in a game that will air on TigerVision. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. The Tigers are 36-point favorites over the Green Wave.
Rock, chalk, Jayhawk: For the second time in its storied basketball history, Kansas is No. 1 in the Associated Press’ preseason Top 25. The Jayhawks were a runaway choice, receiving 55 first-place votes from the 65-member national media panel to easily outdistance Michigan State, which was No. 1 on five ballots. There was little suspense as to which team would top the preseason poll. Kansas has all five starters and the top nine scorers back from last season’s team that went 27-8 and reached the third round of the NCAA tournament. The Jayhawks also feature a recruiting class considered among the nation’s best. The Jayhawks received great news when guard Sherron Collins and center Cole Aldrich, last season’s leading scorers, decided to return to school rather than test the NBA draft. Then brothers Xavier and C.J. Henry decided to enroll in Lawrence, making the Jayhawks the early national favorite as well as the choice to win a sixth straight Big 12 title. Texas, Kentucky and Villanova rounded out the top five, while North Carolina, a unanimous preseason No. 1 last season, was sixth. Kentucky received three first-place votes and Texas and North Carolina got one each. Purdue, West Virginia, Duke and Tennessee completed the top 10.
