We Take Our First Peek ... at a Bowl Game

It's a fitting way for Southern Mississippi to end the season. A team once displaced by Hurricane Katrina plays in a displaced bowl game. That's right, we're talking New Orleans Bowl, baby! The only things that have changed are the site (Lafayette) and Sun Belt representative (Arkansas State ... it seemed like North Texas had a lock on this bowl, didn't it?). Tuesday's epic battle kicks off the postseason, and the Golden Eagles are 17-point favorites. Although this is the eighth bowl in nine seasons for Southern Mississippi, not everybody is happy with coach Jeff Bower (he does graduate 85% of his players). The Indians are just happy to be here, considering the program moved from I-AA to I-A in 1992. The joy is at such a high level that starting linebacker Chris Littleton got into trouble Saturday night and was arrested on charges of battery of a police officer and resisting arrest. So much for Lafayette hosting a bowl game again (some registration).