Once again, with my sincere apologies to Clement Clarke Moore:

’Twas the day of Christmas and all through Cajun land, everyone was wondering, who is the next Michigan man?

Rumors had circled LSU’s Les Miles had the job in the can, but he seems nowadays to be more of a Wolverine fan.

Instead, the Tiger coach’s stockings were hung with the hopes of a national title next season, but if he can’t find a quarterback those hopes have no reason.

Still, his young team played well in some games, but without a true passing attack we can expect more of the same.

LSU fans now believe their team’s future is bright, but with St. Nick Saban still at Alabama, another struggle is in sight.

Yet they believe in the old purple and gold, but it has been a few years without a title and it’s getting pretty old.

But up from the backfield emerged a young running back, who seems ready to lead the attack.

He was the top recruit in all of the nation and with him the Tiger fans had a great fascination.

They roared their approval when he ran over that Aggie, proving once and for all he was no lackey.

If only this team could throw a pass, then beating Alabama could happen at last.

This holiday season the Tigers get to play Notre Dame, a team that once had both fortune and fame.

But there is to beating the Irish days, in fact the last two months it has been all of the craze.

However, a win over that historic team would give LSU fans reason to dream.

As for the professional football team in our state, the season of big expectations didn’t turn out so great.

In key situations the Saints’ defense did stumble, and far too many offensive drives ended in a fumble.

This all left the Who Dats scratching their head, trying to figure out how this season is already dead.

In the offseason the front office made more than one change, looking back on those moves they seem pretty strange.

They gave Jimmy Graham a boat load of money, when he fumbled on the goal last weekend it wasn’t so funny.

Head coach Sean Payton screamed on the sidelines at Rob Ryan, but watching that defense he should have been cryin’.

Ryan’s boys gave up a lot of leads late, which all but sealed the club’s fate.

With Drew Brees at quarterback there is always a chance, but a few of his throws put us all in a trance.

With Payton guiding this team so lively and quick,

people believe he could once again pull off the big trick.

But more rapid than a wildfire this season sink, because on too many Sunday’s the Saints did just stink.

On Cleveland, on Carolina, on Atlanta victories were counted, but instead only the losses mounted.

Yet through both Miles’ and Payton’s eyes did appear, a twinkle of hope for the upcoming year.

Both believe their teams will be back, hoping if they say so it will become fact.

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Jim Gazzolo is managing sports editor. Email him at jgazzolo@americanpress.com(MGNonline)