This week, we at the alligatorSports Brand Picks Column are headed down to the Bayou where there are lions, and tigers and bea - well, actually just tigers.
But according to UF senior wide receiver Andre Caldwell, LSU?s mascot is actually a lion, so who knows what will await us in Baton Rouge.
What we do know is that LSU has a live tiger, Mike VI, who sits out in his own live habitat area between Tiger Stadium and the Pete Maravich Assembly Center.
So we decided to call up Dr. Matthew Wheelock, who was one of the student caretakers who took care of Mike V from 2000-2002, to find out more about this feline creature.
Mike is wheeled around in a cage - with cheerleaders on top - during a much renowned pregame ceremony.
But sometimes, the Tiger gets a wee-bit excited.
Mike likes to pee on those he loves most.
BMike really liked strong smells,C Wheelock said. BOne of the things that cats or tigers do is they like to spray those things to claim them as their own. At least during the time that I was there the new cheerleaders came over, and they were wearing perfume. The older cheerleaders would put them next to the cage and he would turn and 'spray? them.C
Yikes. At least the 400-pound cat didn?t have to go No. 2.
Honestly, Mike, is that the way to treat one of your own?
Maybe not.
BI didn?t feel the need to say anything,C Wheelock said. BCat urine kind of sticks with you for awhile. Once they got sprayed they [knew what happened]. That was kind of a funny thing.C
Even when it comes to the fake Mike - the costumed mascot one - the tiger had some issues.
BThe first baseball game he was brought out and he did not like the mascot,C Wheelock said. BI don?t know if it?s a big head thing or what, but he roars. He was laid back, but we bring him out and bring the mascot over and Mike would just really lose it.C
Seriously, where?s this guy?s school spirit? He pees on the cheerleaders and growls at the Mascot.
Actually, there?s no messing around when it comes to their beloved Tiger, who has been a tradition since 1936.
BWe were always over there,C Wheelock said. BThe first night that I went by myself within three minutes being enclosed (in the cage) there were three police cars. Somebody always has their eye on the tiger. They take Mike pretty seriously. This one is going to have a pretty spoiled life.C
With that said, onto the picks!
Still in first place with a 32-18 record is quasi-Sports Editor Bryan Bwait a sec, my girlfriend?s on the phoneC Jones, who is hoping to trick the Alligator into quitting but still receiving paychecks a lá Oscar Ubillus.
In second place with a 31œ19 record is alligatorSports.org Editor Brian BMy insults suckC Steele, who?s on Lawrence Marsh?s hit list for quoting his whispers.
In a three-way tie for third place with a 28œ22 record is Mike BOhhhh, I have an idea, let?s drive four hours out of our way to eat at a place that has cockroaches insideC McCall, who actually said he wanted to COME BACK to Mississippi. We should have left him and his Nease High T-shirts there.
Batting cleanup with a 28-22 record is Nick Bmy man crush on Mike 'Mike? McCall is actually closing in on my love for IllinoisC Zaccardi, who has had to find a new love since Kari Klinkenborg left the volleyball team.
Bringing up the rear - and we?re sure it?ll stay this way - at 28-22 is Sports Assistant Editor Jenna BI own the guest pickersC Marina, who may have finally learned what pass interference means this past weekend. Good job, Jenna, now just figure out what that pesky touchdown means.
| BJ | JM | MM | BS | NZ | MW | |
| Okla-Texas | Okla | Okla | Okla | Okla | Okla | Okla |
| OSU-Purdue | OSU | Purdue | OSU | Purdue | Purdue | OSU |
| UGA-Tenn | UGA | UGA | UGA | Tenn | UGA | UGA |
| Wisc-Ill | Wisc | Wisc | Wisc | Wisc | Ill | Ill |
| ECU-UCF | UCF | UCF | ECU | UCF | UCF | UCF |
| VT-Clem | Clem | VT | Clem | VT | Clem | VT |
| Neb-Mizz | Mizz | Mizz | Neb | Mizz | Neb | Neb |
| Cin-Rut | Cin | Rut | Rut | Rut | Rut | Rut |
| SEA-PIT | PIT | SEA | PIT | PIT | PIT | PIT |
UF-LSU BJ: LSU 31-21; JM: LSU 27-21; MM: LSU 21-13; BS: LSU 31-17; NZ: LSU 34-20; MW: LSU 35-14
