On the Jayden Daniels beat

It was natural to expect after LSU lost at Alabama two weeks ago to end any CFP or SEC championship hopes that the Tigers would be just playing out the string in these final three games.

Then Saturday night happened against Florida. Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels went off like a Roman candle, piling up an SEC record 606 total yards (372 passing, 234 rushing) while becoming the first player in FBS history with 350-plus passing yards and 200-plus rushing yards in the same game.

Since that record-shattering victory, all the talk has been about whether or not Jayden can win the Heisman trophy or at least be a Heisman finalist in December. 

OK, some of the talk is still about how bad the LSU defense is. But Daniels made Florida's defense look even worse as he led LSU to 701 total yards, the most ever allowed by the Gators.

Saturday night and again at his Monday news conference, LSU coach Brian Kelly took up the gauntlet of promoting his star quarterback for college sports' biggest individual award. It's something he didn't use to do, Kelly admitted, but he gave his reasons Monday for taking the lead on the Jayden hype machine.

A lot more sports news from a busy Monday, so let's hit it, shall we:

• Here's the latest odds on Daniels in the Heisman Trophy chase related to the other contenders
• There was also bad news Monday, as Kelly confirmed a season-ending injury to running back John Emery
• Got the TV time for LSU's regular-season finale next Saturday against Texas A&M. Unfortunately it means LSU's seniors will have a senior morning instead of a senior night.
• The boys from Bayou Bets ask the same question everyone else is asking: Can Jayden win the Heisman? Oh, they also want to know what's wrong with the Saints. Fortunately, Saints fans have an open date week in which to anguish over that one.
• A long-time LSU football commitment pulled back on his pledge Monday.
• LSU women's basketball dropped from No. 1 to No. 7 in the AP poll (an overreaction ton the Tigers' 92-78 loss to Colorado, in my opinion) thanks to that stunning season-opening loss to Colorado. So there's a new No. 1, though you probably won't like who it is. The Tigers are back in action at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the PMAC for their annual field trip day game.
• Coach Kim Mulkey ordered a bunch of championship rings for all the special people in her life, including all her former coaches. We have the list of them here.
• And, finally, we're taking your mailbag questions for later in the week on LSU football, and I assume we'll allow one or two on other sports as well. Here's the link to sending in your question.

Well, that's all for now. Isn't that enough? Plenty for you to chew over during your morning coffee. Or in my case, morning hot tea.

Until next time,

Scott Rabalais