This week was when I was going to complete work on my conference by conference preview for the upcoming NCAA football season.

Then a hurricane hit.

I don’t have any connection to New Orleans personally. I’ve never been to the city, and the only person I knew who lived there moved away in June. Today? I’m thankful that she did.

The more news that comes out, the less I actually want to know. The Superdome, which served as refuge for people in the time leading up to Hurricane Katrina, has structural issues (with two holes blown in the roof) as well as other issues due to the flooding and the length of time people spent inside the facility. Buses are taking survivors to Reunion Arena in Dallas and to the Astrodome in Houston.

It’s hard to know what to say at times like these. It’s also hard to know how to fit sports into this horrific landscape.

But James Carville, in an interview with Tony Kornheiser, said something that was very telling to me. He said, "The best thing that can happen is for LSU to win 10 games this year."

Hearing those words come from the Ragin’ Cajun had an affect on me.

Because Carville is right. Sports can help Louisiana and Mississippi and Alabama heal during these tough times.

One of the lasting images in the days and the weeks following September 11 is when President Bush made his way out to the mound at Yankee Stadium and threw that perfect strike for the ceremonial first pitch. The return of games can serve as a distraction.

This doesn’t mean that we have to forget the tragic events of the past few days. But if LSU could make a run at the BCS championship, or if the Saints make a push for a division title this season, it would be a wonderful story.

And while it may not be the same as having your home or your possessions back, it can help heal some of the mental wounds that this situation has inflicted.

To make a rough transition to sports, here are my division/conference preseason winners for the 2005 season:

ACC-Atlantic Division: Boston College
ACC-Coastal Division: Virginia Tech
ACC Overall Champ: Virginia Tech

Big East: Louisville

Big Ten: Iowa

Big XII-North: Colorado
Big XII-South: Texas A&M
Big XII Overall Champ: Texas A&M

Conference USA-East: Southern Mississippi
Conference USA-West: UTEP
Conference USA Overall Champ: UTEP

Mid American-East: Bowling Green
Mid American-West: Toledo
Mid American Overall Champ: Toledo

Mountain West: Wyoming

Pac-10: Oregon

SEC-East: Tennessee
SEC-West: LSU
SEC Overall Champ: LSU

Sun Belt: North Texas

WAC: Fresno State

Best Independent Team: Navy