re: What does the nation outside of Louisiana say about LSU?

I travel a good but and my perception from interaction with others is that LSU is a well known brand. Mostly for football, and to a lesser extent baseball. Born and raised in New Orleans and have lived in Texas for 30+ years. Texans without Louisiana ties, as a general rule, tend to look down at LSU as an inferior school academically. But, for the most part, they certainly acknowledge(sometimes begrudgingly) LSU's athletic prowess.