| We don’t know exactly what we’ll see Tuesday night in Houston. We don’t know who will take the first snaps at quarterback for LSU. We don’t know, in many cases, who will play at which positions. We don’t know how interim coach Brad Davis will handle in-game decisions — or, for that matter, what the Tigers’ game plan will be. Here’s what we do know: LSU will play a football game. The Tigers face Kansas State in the Texas Bowl at 8 p.m. Tuesday on ESPN. It is the final step in the transition from Ed Orgeron to Brian Kelly, who takes over in full after the final gun. In the meantime, let’s take a look at this bizarre moment. (We’ve got basketball, too, and a lot of it. More on that later.) COVER STORY First, there’s Davis. A Baton Rouge native and Belaire grad, he will stay on Kelly’s staff as offensive line coach. And while this is only one game, he will be LSU’s first Black head football coach. A proud native of the 70805 zip code, Davis had prepared his whole life for this moment. He didn’t want to waste his chance. Wilson Alexander tells his story. PREDICTIONS You want predictions? Of course you do. Even for a game that’s nearly impossible to predict. Wilson Alexander, Leah Vann, Scott Rabalais and Sheldon Mickles weigh in. SCOTT RABALAIS How did LSU get to this point, with a severely depleted roster? A lot of factors, of course — injuries, player opt-outs, transfers and early entries into the NFL draft, among other things. You don’t have to like it — but across the nation, you might have to get used to it. This is part of the major change taking hold in college football. LSU IN HOUSTON It’s no secret that LSU has a major foothold in Houston. As Leah Vann writes, it’s almost always a good thing when the university can have an event there — good for the athletic department, good for the university and a good chance for alumni and boosters to get together. KEYS TO VICTORY With 45 scholarship players available and some of its best players opted out, it's hard to tell what LSU might look like against Kansas State. The Tigers could still win, Leah Vann writes, even if it’s a tall order. Here’s how. LSU vs. KENTUCKY The Southeastern Conference schedule-maker didn’t do the LSU basketball team any favors when it had the Tigers play at Auburn in its league opener last Wednesday. The SEC didn’t make life much easier for their home opener, either. Kentucky comes to town — and while the PMAC will be alive for this 6 p.m. tip, this will be yet another tough game for Will Wade’s team, our Sheldon Mickles writes. DALE BROWN COURT Yes, it’s happening. Dale Brown and his family, as well as many former players and friends, will be on hand for the unveiling of Dale Brown Court in the Pete Maravich Assembly Center at 5:45 p.m. — 15 minutes before tipoff of the game between No. 21 LSU and No. 16 Kentucky. The court dedication will continue at halftime A LOOK AT THE POLLS If you missed it: The LSU women, barreling toward a huge Thursday showdown with No. 1 South Carolina, moved up in The Associated Press poll on Monday, plus other news on Kim Mulkey’s team. The LSU men slipped to No. 21 in this week’s poll. ONE LAST THING: HERE’S A GREAT DEAL If you’re not a subscriber, come join us. Our sportswriters are the hardest-working folks in show business. They’ll keep you up to date on the latest news at LSU (and elsewhere). Support their work, and stay on top of everything. Enjoy a long, wild night tonight. | 
