Why LSU football will have a new coach after Thanksgiving. It won't be Jimbo Fisher

BATON ROUGE — A win is a win, right?

LSU (5-6) tested the limits of that expression on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium, going through the motions in a 27-14 win over Louisiana-Monroe (4-7). This was an ugly game, but the fact remains the Tigers are one win away from bowl eligibility.

Underwhelming: LSU beats ULM with big plays 

Report card: Ed Orgeron continues fourth-down gaffes in LSU's win over ULM 

For a team as confusing as this one, nothing would be more head-scratching than for LSU coach Ed Orgeron to go out a winner in his final game in Death Valley.

Now let’s get to the mailbag.

Will Jimbo stay behind after the game next Saturday? — Lyle

Don’t get your hopes up.

If you had asked me last week, I would have handicapped this coaching search as Jimbo Fisher and then the field. Not anymore. Fisher is adamant he’s not leaving Texas A&M. I’m not naïve enough to take him at his word. So I’ll side with A&M’s board of regents, who are considering a $205 million renovation to the school’s athletic facilities.

Fisher and LSU athletic director Scott Woodward are friends. But no two people are that good of friends. LSU’s best chance of landing Fisher was in 2015, when a late-season win over A&M saved Les Miles’ job temporarily. This ship has sailed. Let’s move on.

When do you think Woodward will announce the new HC? — Azlan

In a perfect world, I think Woodward would like this done no later than the first week in December. LSU is far from a perfect world, but that still seems realistic. Anything past that runs into the early signing period — the most important recruiting date of the year.

A coaching change almost guarantees a lost signing class, which makes LSU’s 2022 group so fascinating. The Tigers have held the class together for the most part. The only loss being Edna Karr’s Aaron Anderson, a four-star wide receiver, who decommitted for Alabama. Stability like this is an anomaly since the early signing period began. Still, it’s better for Woodward to get this done and not tempt fate.

Can LSU sim the rest of the season? — Chris

Few in the press box would have opposed such a move. These 8 o’clock kickoffs against Group of Five opponents are a bit much.

Did you wear one or two ULM shirts under your jacket? — Ash

I’d Weatherbie Winning. If you know, then you know.

They should have kept Lindsey Scott Jr. — Hobert

There’s a ghost from LSU quarterbacks past. Just in time for the holiday season.

I should probably stop entertaining these questions. It’s more obvious than ever this offense is awful regardless of who the quarterback is. Less than 100 yards rushing against ULM isn’t going to get it. Keep in mind that Max Johnson did pass for 331 yards while Malik Nabers had the best game of any LSU receiver this season not named Kayshon Boutte.

To your point, Lindsey Scott Jr. is doing fine at Nicholls State. He just led the Colonels to a big win over Southeastern Louisiana. NSU might make the FCS playoffs again. This was the best move for both parties, even if it took Scott a couple other stops to get to Thibodaux.

Adam Hunsucker covers LSU for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at ahunsucker@gannett.com or follow him on Twitter @adam_hunsucker. Enjoy Adam’s work?  Consider a digital subscription for unlimited access.