This Is One Effort That Is Really Just Rank

Louisiana State fans have taken to the Internet in an attempt to sway voters in the Associated Press poll, bombarding them with e-mail in an effort to get them to rank the Tigers No. 2 instead of USC.

John Adams of the Knoxville (Tenn.) News-Sentinel wrote, “The LSU fans are right. But they’re probably not helping themselves with the e-mail campaign. Voters don’t like being told what to do, especially by fans. There could be a backlash.”

Another viewpoint: Unlike Adams, who voted Louisiana State No. 2, Pat Dooley of the Gainesville (Fla.) Sun wrote that he left USC at No. 2 this week. But Dooley acknowledged he is leaning toward making Louisiana State No. 2 if the Tigers beat Georgia on Saturday.

“There is really only one reason not to do it,” Dooley wrote. “LSU’s only loss came at home by 12 points, USC’s on the road by three in overtime.”

Isn’t that enough?

Trivia time: What former USC running back was the NFL’s No. 1 draft pick in 1977?

Bubbas everywhere: When NASCAR was honored at the White House on Tuesday, President Bush said, “I see a lot of Bubbas who work in my administration who have shown up.”

More Bubbas: Raymond Allen Gray Jr., 39, of Springfield, Ill., spent $189 to have his name legally changed to Bubba, Bubba, Bubba, according to the Peoria (Ill.) Journal-Star.

Said Dwight Perry of the Seattle Times: “Women callers, we hear, are suddenly flooding him with breathless proposals. Unfortunately, they’re all NASCAR telemarketers.”

Warm reception on ice: Eric Gagne, who dropped the puck during a ceremonial faceoff before a Montreal Canadien game last weekend, received a standing ovation that lasted more than a minute as he stepped on the ice to Guns ‘N Roses’ “Welcome to the Jungle.”

“I had goose bumps,” said the Dodger closer and Cy Young Award winner, who is from Montreal. “It’s pretty special to have your name on the back of a Canadien jersey.”

The Canadiens needed a closer on this night. They led Florida, 1-0, but the Panthers scored with 1:11 left in the third period and the game ended in a 1-1 tie.

Tight squeeze: Regarding the fate of New York Giant Coach Jim Fassel, syndicated columnist Norman Chad says, “If this guy’s back were up against the wall any more, he’d be a flat-screen TV.”

Looking back: On this day in 1961, before the NFL draft was moved to the off-season, Heisman Trophy-winning running back Ernie Davis of Syracuse became the first black player drafted No. 1. Davis was selected by the Washington Redskins and traded to the Cleveland Browns, but he died of leukemia in 1963.

Trivia answer: Ricky Bell.

And finally: Michael Irvin, a guest of Tony Bruno on Fox radio, was asked whether he had seen the sex video involving Paris Hilton.

“No, but I want to see it so I can pray for her,” Irvin said.

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Larry Stewart can be reached at larry.stewart@latimes.com.