Talk about a sweet Sugar Bowl &045; I think Sunday’s LSU-Oklahoma Sugar Bowl matchup will be as good as they come. Think about it; it’s just gonna be a good ‘un, that’s all.

The Sugar Bowl crowd ought to be rocking. After all, the LSU Tigers are ranked No. 2 in the land, Oklahoma No. 3. Personally, I believe it just might be the bowl game of the bowl season. Think about it!

Kansas State muddied the water by upsetting Oklahoma Dec. 6 in the Big 12 title game, but don’t make the mistake of believing Oklahoma is lacking in any way. That’s football, and the Sooners are football-savvy, make no mistake about it. They’re ranked third nationally, so don’t look past ’em.

But, hey, most folks around here are pulling for them Tigers. It would be nice if LSU could win for all the Tiger fans around here, you know it? That would include me this time around.

Prediction: LSU 17, Oklahoma 13. Watch it on TV &045; it’s gonna be a good ‘un!

No, I haven’t forgotten the Rebels of Ole Miss have themselves a bowl trip, too. They’re scheduled to clash with Oklahoma State Friday, and it ought to be a real good game to watch on the tube. I’m gonna check it to see.

Ole Miss and Oklahoma State? How about Ole Miss 21, OSU 17? This bowl predicting is hazardous, you know it?

And Southern Miss &045; how about USM? Well I’ll tell you about USM &045; the Eagles had won nine games and lost three to Utah’s 9-2 mark. Kinda evenly matched, don’t you think? ESPN showed how evenly matched they were Wednesday. What’s the verdict?

This Wednesday column writing for Thursday’s paper! I didn’t want to miss it, though. You know me, just mention football.

Brett Favre is an interesting story, you know it? Sadly, though, his dad Irvin had suffered a heart attack and driven off the road and died on Sunday before all of us were getting ready to start touting his son.

It’s so sad. Irvin Favre’s sudden death brought Mississippi to its knees. And devastated Brett, you know. The senior Favre had seen his son star at the University of Southern Mississippi after high school, and he was known to be quietly proud of his football accomplishments.

A heart attack evidently killed Brett’s 58-year-old dad. It’s sad any way you think. Dads are certainly special, and not just football dads.

It’s NFL playoff time! Tennessee and Baltimore tee it up Saturday at Baltimore. And on TV, they say. Dallas will be at Carolina the same Saturday evening at 7 o’clock. So get your action britches on!

Season records determine what’s gonna happen for the playoffs most of the time, but this time around they went to a BCS-type tie-breaker. Don’t ask me to explain.

Actually, all one needs to know is the NFL is going into its playoffs, and everyone knows the fur will fly!

And the money is good. Sometimes NFL front offices throw cash around like it’s going out of style.

Throw some my way &045; I’m still in style.

Glenvall Estes is a longtime columnist for The Natchez Democrat.