| Brian Kelly called it a new position for Harold Perkins. But where the Tigers' game-changing linebacker lined up Saturday against Grambling certainly often looked like his old self from 2022. After being anchored to the middle linebacker position in LSU's season-opening loss to Florida State, a game in which he was mostly ineffective and unnoticed, Perkins spent a lot of his time against Grambling working the edges of LSU's defense. The results didn't produce big numbers. He only had one tackle, one pass breakup and one quarterback hurry. But it was the feel of the old Perkins coming back that looked encouraging for an LSU defense still trying to find its depth two weeks into the season. Kelly discussed Perkins "new" old position Monday at his weekly news conference, as the No. 14-ranked Tigers shift their attention to their great big SEC opener Saturday at Mississippi State (11 a.m., ESPN). On the offensive side, Kelly talked about the new rotation with freshman Lance Heard, who will continue to get reps with the No. 1 offensive line. We're looking down the road, too, as game time and TV network were announced Monday for next Saturday's LSU home game against Arkansas. While the Tigers have their flaws, so do the rest of the teams in the SEC. The conference looks down, especially after a series of highly visible non-conference defeats like LSU's loss to FSU and Alabama's home upset Saturday at the hands of the Texas Longhorns. As a result, the SEC West looks wide open in its final year. LSU, Bama, Arkansas, Ole Miss and even Texas A&M (which also lost Saturday at Miami) could be considered to be in the mix for the final SEC West title, a case I make in my latest column. How big a favorite are the Tigers over the Bulldogs on Saturday in Starkville? We have the betting angles covered for you right here. We also have a transcript of our latest LSU football podcast with myself, beat writer Wilson Alexander and sports editor Perryn "Florida" Keys. Our main topic: how to rate LSU's defensive issues after two games. Finally, LSU women's basketball star Angel Reese was part of the news at the East Baton Rouge Parish school board office Monday night to announce a new project between the local school system and her foundation. Reese and her 2022-23 LSU teammates were honored on the field during the first quarter Saturday night for their NCAA championship. And I'm pretty sure she whizzed past me on a scooter as I was walking from my car to Kelly's news conference (scooters are everywhere on campus these days). Well, that's all for now, LSU sports and LSU transportation wise. Hop on your scooter and come right back to our newsletter tomorrow for the latest on LSU sports. Scott Rabalais | 
