Sports roundup: LSU edges Alabama for top spot on 'USA Today' preseason poll … Hornets to play two preseason games in N.O. … Saints CB Greer to have hernia surgery

Published Aug 2, 2012 at 3:30 pm (Updated Aug 2, 2012)

At the starting line: LSU will start the season ranked No. 1 in the USA Today Sports Coaches' Poll, which again is flush with teams from the nation's dominant league. The SEC, whose teams have won the last six Bowl Championship Series titles, has five of the top 10 teams and leads all conferences with seven teams ranked in the top 25 list unveiled today. LSU got the top ranking despite having received fewer first-place votes than Alabama, which is ranked No. 2. That's a first since the poll began in 1991. Read the full story here.

All the buzz: The New Orleans Hornets announced today that the team will play eight games prior to its Oct. 31 season opener, in a preseason highlighted by a road trip to Mexico City on Oct. 7 to play the Orlando Magic and two home games in New Orleans. The Hornets will play the Charlotte Bobcats at home on Tuesday, Oct. 9, and will also host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday, Oct. 24. See the full schedule and browse ticket options here.

Under the knife: New Orleans Saints assistant head coach Joe Vitt says first-team cornerback Jabari Greer will have sports hernia surgery after pulling his groin during practice this week. Vitt says Greer was sent to see a doctor in Philadelphia for the procedure and should return in time for the regular season. Greer came up lame during practice on Tuesday. Rookie receiver Nick Toon, meanwhile, left today's practice with an apparent foot injury, which is being evaluated.