| So the LSU football team is idle this weekend, having gone through a rough week and a rougher season. Here's some good news: You've got a stress-free day of college football ahead of you. While you wait — and while you check out the weekend's best games, not to mention the rest of the Southeastern Conference — you'll probably ponder the future of LSU football. Here's what we know for certain: The LSU athletic department will spend a lot of money — not only on a new coach, but also the old coaches. And not just Ed Orgeron, but probably most of his assistant coaches. As our Leah Vann reports here, LSU isn't only on the hook for the $16.949 million it owes Orgeron. His assistants have contracts, too, and depending on where they land, LSU could owe them more than $8 million in total. Lots of variables are in play, but you can take a look at the breakdown here. Elsewhere: • Who's ready for basketball season? Kim Mulkey certainly is — and if you're so inclined, you can get your first look at Mulkey's first LSU team Saturday at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center, where the Tigers host Langston in an exhibition. • What should you be watching today? Our own Sheldon Mickles has a handy guide to the best college football games Saturday, starting with Michigan at Michigan State. • Georgia has earned its designation as the top team in the SEC. Is Alabama still No. 2? Where does LSU check in? And who wins the battle for the cellar? (You're up, Missouri and Vanderbilt.) Our Sheldon Mickles breaks down the nation's toughest conference. To our subscribers: Thank you for supporting our sportswriters' work. We'll be here for all the latest on the rest of football season, the coaching search and everything that comes afterward, including recruiting — not to mention men's basketball, women's basketball, baseball, softball, track and gymnastics as well. If you're not a subscriber: Please consider joining us. Click here and take a look at several options, including our digital package. We'll always be here, and we'll certainly be back for more fun next week. Enjoy your Saturday. Sincerely, Perryn Keys | 