NCAA Investigating North Carolina: What Does It Mean for LSU Opener?

With looming NCAA investigations and possible player suspensions, the UNC Tar Heels may not field their full starting lineup when they face No. 21 LSU in the Georgia Dome on September 4 in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic.

Defensive tackle Marvin Austin, wide receiver Greg Little, linebackers Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant, cornerback Kendric Burney, and safety Deunta Williams could miss the first game and possibly more as the NCAA investigation into whether or not the players received improper benefits continues.

Sources close to the issue say that some players, including Austin, could miss the entire 2010 season.

With speedy LSU on the schedule in Week One, the Tar Heels could be in trouble without key defensive stars at every level. Losing a key lineman, linebacker, cornerback, and safety is going to be devastating and should be something that LSU exploits.

The depleted secondary should make life more comfortable for Jordan Jefferson and allow him to ease into the season rather than jumping in with both feet against one of the nation’s top defenses. A confidence builder is exactly what the inconsistent quarterback needs to establish himself as the sure starter for the 2010 season.

Losing an All-American on the defensive line should also allow the inexperienced offensive line of LSU to get their feet wet and get a little in-game experience as a group. Not having to account for Austin on every play will help the Tigers get to the second level with their blocks, opening up the way for the running backs.

The Tiger running back group of Stevan Ridley, Richard Murphy, and Michael Ford should get extensive touches in an attempt to reestablish the running game after a dismal 2009 campaign, opening up play action and screen passes to the Tigers’ No. 1 playmaker, Russell Shepard.

Les Miles needs to make a statement in the opener against the Tar Heels, keeping his foot on the gas and running up the score as much as possible. Even with the defense not at full strength, UNC is a ranked team and a perfect target for a statement.

A rout of the Tar Heels would be a great confidence booster for the inexperienced players and a chance to put LSU back in the national spotlight to prove that the past two seasons were anomalies and that the Tigers are a legitimate threat for the BCS title each and every year.

While the suspensions should make the game an easy win for the Tigers, they also make this a must win. 

A loss to an ACC team, regardless of ranking, would be devastating for an LSU team trying to reestablish itself as one of the nation’s elite teams. A loss to an ACC team with a depleted defense would certainly increase the temperature of Les Miles’ already hot seat.