The Road to Redemption

Redemption. Whether we're aware of it or care to admit it, redemption is part of our everyday lives. In little ways. The co-worker you ignored in the office kitchen while he rambled on about that great homerun his little leaguer hit last weekend. Next time, though you don't give two you-know-whats about that fantastic new restaurant your co-worker tried, you listen. Redemption.

Redemption happens in bigger ways, too. That call to a loved one you've put off after your last talk was a little off, those Saturday morning waffles you cook after missing the ballet recital, and countless other situations where you know, deep down, that you simply weren't your best self the last time out. What do you do? Redeem yourself.

Perhaps no one in modern times "totally redeemed himself!" more than Lloyd Christmas. Enjoy this brief clip of Lloyd's inspirational redemption:

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Not unlike Jim Carrey's Lloyd Christmas character, our LSU Fighting Tigers have redemption on their minds. I'm afraid for this LSU team, however, that redemption equals nothing short of a BCS national championship. Lofty expectations, no doubt. But coming off the most unsuccessful 13-1 season in college football history, having failed spectacularly against Alabama in that abhorrent national championship game, the only way for the Bayou Bengals to redeem themselves is to bring home the bacon. Stick the landing this time, Tigers. Close the deal. Git 'er done. Cook the carrots. Do it!

Leading LSU in his eighth year at the helm is Les Miles. With his quirky, yet highly enjoyable persona, his goofball speaking style, and his uncanny ability to win in dramatic fashion, Miles is the chief executive of a perennial powerhouse football program. The man has lost one -- one! -- non-conference game in seven years. He's compiled a 75-18 record, has played in three SEC championship games, two BCS title games, and is generally an all-around bad arse.

Miles will rely on first-year starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger to guide the offense. Balancing Mett's inexperience is a veteran offensive line and at least four running backs who could start at almost any other SEC school. Though somewhat green at receiver, the scuttlebutt out of Baton Rouge is that sophomore Jarvis Landry is ridiculous, and Odell Beckham, Jr. has taken on a leadership role as dean of the receiving corps, while just a sophomore himself.

The Tigers' defense, despite losing its game-changer, Tyrann Mathieu, still has the two-headed monster of KeKe Mingo and Sam Montgomery to anchor a deeply talented defensive line. With Eric Reid in the defensive backfield and an improved linebacker group, there's little reason to believe LSU will suffer much on that side of the ball.

The road to redemption begins this Saturday night in Death Valley when the North Texas Mean Green visit Baton Rouge. The Green should not be too Mean, instead serving their rightful role as an appetizer for the Tigers in advance of Washington next week.

Redemption. We were inspired when Rocky redeemed himself against Drago in 1985's "Rocky IV." That band of misfit and outcast football players redeemed themselves and their coach in the 1986 classic, "Wildcats." I cannot recall what precisely was redeemed in "The Shawshank Redemption," but the title suggests that something was, and it's a hell of a movie.

The road to redemption starts Saturday. It ends in Miami, and it ends with the return of national championship glory to LSU.

Prediction:

LSU 42
North Texas 3

Geaux Tigers!