LSU, Ohio St. keep rivalry friendly in N.O. streets

Mike the Tiger pumps up LSU football fans at a pep rally Sunday afternoon outside the Jackson Brewery in New Orleans in preparation for tonight’s 7:22 p.m. kickoff at the BCS National Championship Game between LSU and Ohio State. From right to left are Katie Segrave, of Mandeville; Sue Delaune, Segrave’s mother; Erin Accardo, of Metairie; and Sarabeth Accardo, of Covington.

LSU linebacker Paul Felio, right, works on the home plate area Sunday at the Boys and Girls Club in New Orleans, with Pat Kelley, center, and Mike Penner. LSU and OSU officials, faculty, fans and team members gave a facelift to the fields, which were covered by water during Hurricane Katrina.

Columbus, Ohio, Mayor Michael Coleman holds up an Ohio State jersey to East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Kip Holden on Sunday at the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. Holden promised to wear the jersey to the next Metro Council meeting if the Buckeyes defeat the Tigers in tonight’s BCS National Championship Game Holden gave Coleman an LSU jersey that Coleman will don if the Tigers win.