Alex Rodriguez, Reality's Harvey Dent

Last summer's blockbuster hit Dark Knight remains one of my favorite films for many reasons, but oddly enough I actually found a connection with the movie and modern day society.

No, I am not talking about the odd similarities I see between my Communication Studies professor and the Joker, rather I am talking about Alex Rodriguez's fall from grace to Harvey Dent's fall from grace.

Let me explain before the harsh comments begin. And yes, I am probably a dork for writing this article.

The steroid witch hunt in baseball has been going on for several years. From Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro, to Barry Bonds, we have seen the best of the the best come under fire. We have seen the most admired players be exposed for what they are: cheaters.

But through it all there was one bright light, one white knight: Alex Rodriguez. As great player after great player was found to be cheating, fans said to themselves, "Well at least Rodriguez is doing it right. At least he is not cheating."

He was the glimmer of hope in baseball. The poster boy for all.

That all changed this past week. That all changed when Rodriguez, reality's Harvey Dent, admitted to having used anabolic steroids from 2001 to 2003. The one guy you could have faith in turns out to be just as corrupt as the rest.

Let's look at the symbolism. First there's the corruption of Gotham City. That is represented by the players who were using steroids. Then there's Batman who is...

Okay, haven't thought about that one.

But the transformation of Dent is the same as Rodriguez giving into the temptations (the Joker) of trying anabolic steroids.

Though in the end, unlike the movie, the world will get to see Rodriguez for who he is. Someone who cheated, someone who gave into temptations, someone with two faces, someone who was just taking a chance...

LSU's Fall From Grace

Before you start, realize this is lousy writing. Even so, I just needed to get some points across.

LSU football is currently 7-5.

LSU football is currently 7-5.

Here at Baton Rouge that is a losing season and the whole Tiger team is aware of it. Coming into this season there was hopes of LSU repeating their glory from last year. Even after Ryan "Airhead" Perrilloux was kicked off the team this dream was still strong.

And on September 20 LSU would beat the SEC West favorite Auburn Tigers 26-21 on Auburn's field. The dream would only grow...

My, oh my, have the mighty fallen.

The LSU football team would lose to Florida (51-21), but that was ok because it was a mere one loss; LSU would rebound. Then the Tigers lost at home to Georgia 52-38. Hey Jarrett Lee played awful! Then LSU lost 27-21 in overtime to the No. 1 ranked Alabama Crimson Tide. Again, the loss was painful to say the least, but worst was over, right? I mean Lee would get better?

Two weeks later. LSU loses at home for the third time 31-13 to Ole Miss. The defense is lousy.

And finally the nail in the coffin for the 5th time this year, LSU loses to Arkansas 31-30.

Again, 7-5 and the finger pointing is not stopping anytime soon. Let me be very clear.

LSU stinks in all facets of the game. Offense, defense, special teams, and coaching. You name it, that unit stinks.

All of us in Tiger Nation knew this would be a rebuilding year, but not like this.

Not this bad.

In one year, just like that, Les Miles has a target on his forehead. The question on everyone's mind is can he rebound? Can he make the necessary changes to the LSU staff? Can he keep the big time recruits from backing out from coming to LSU?

He has to or next year will be Les's last. Plain and simple.

Two actions must be done to turn stuff around for LSU:

1. Fire every coach working on the defensive side of the ball. Anything short of that and LSU will fail again next season.

2. Make sure Russell Shepard comes to LSU.

It's one thing for a team to finish the year up with five losses (Florida 2007), it's another thing when a team finishes with five losses and the general perception is that anarchy is taking place on the field. That's what I saw on the field Friday against Arkansas.

Thank God LSU basketball has started...