re: Can LSU translate this increase in sports success to better ACADEMICS?

I haven't been to a class at LSU in several decades, so I can't say what is going on. I have a niece starting LSU in the fall. She graduated from a St Louis area HS with a top 5% class ranking and 30+ score on the ACT. She looked at a dozen schools. 2 in La. - Tulane and LSU. She scheduled campus visits to LSU and Tulane on the same trip. She also looked closely at Mizzou, Tn and Bama. She chose LSU. She said the LSU campus visit blew everyone out of the water, including Tulane. She recieved a very good scholarship and entry into the LSU honors college.

I did not influence her choice and was a little surprised when I heard she chose LSU. I'm not sure what LSU did, but they impressed this young lady.
I think the brand and the recent NCs also impressed her.

After having said all this, I think the leadership needs to figure out what it needs to do to raise the academic profile a bit. We can do better. I think it has been in decline for 10 to 20 years. What is the formula? What is lacking? I don't think it is that hard to figure out. Is it; more money, better facilities(library), better professors, more highly qualified out of state students? Let's get it done. I think we are tied for last place in the SEC with Ark. and Ms State. Like I said, we can do better! The brand is good! Raise the academic profile to match the brand.