When LSU coach Ed Orgeron stares at you with those steel-cast eyes and tells you to step up to the plate, turning him down isn’t an option. All you can hope for is that he’s actually looking over shoulder to someone sitting behind you.

Unfortunately for this sports writer on Wednesday morning, the look wasn’t at the empty row behind me.

There was nothing left to do but step up and take the hit, however painful it might be.

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