7:02 p.m. -- Big no-show: Mike

The most notable no-show so far tonight: Mike VI, the live tiger mascot of LSU.

Bill Franques just said Mike was a tad ornery when his handlers tried to get him in his cage, and he won't make his scheduled pregame appearance tonight.

Skip Bertman took the microphone and paid tribute to retiring Mississippi State coach Ron Polk, holding court with both teams and a stadium full of fans paying close attention. Bertman got a big round of applause for Polk by telling everyone Polk has graduated more than 95 percent of his players.

Skip then took some comic jabs at Starkville and Polk, all in good fun and all in keeping with his friendly rivalry with Polk. He presented him with souvenir bats, including one with some "sayings" on it that "I can't repeat here," Skip said.

Polk then took the microphone to a standing ovation.

In 2001, Skip's last season as coach of the Tigers, Polk was coaching at Georgia, where he planned a farewell celebration for Skip on LSU's trip to Athens. A Cadillac pulled up on the field, a big red bow around it, making it appear as if Georgia were presenting Skip a shiny new Caddy.

Instead, a man got out of the car and presented Skip with an engraved clock.

Big crowd already tonight. I see empty seats, but not many.

Talk to you soon.

7:08 update: Yes, that was Ronnie Rantz singing the national anthem.

I kid you not.

Good job, Ronnie. Jumbo job.

7:09 update: The Tigers took the field to the loudest applause they've received in pregame this season. There is a buzz here I haven't felt at The Box in a long time.

7:11 update: First pitch popped up to second base. One out. The game is under way.