LSU Football: Is North Carolina Must Win for Les Miles?

The past two seasons of LSU Football have been less than stellar and the majority of the blame has been placed on head coach Les Miles.

It is no secret that I have been very critical of Miles in the past, largely because of huge coaching blunders. Who can forget the infamous “clock play” finish at Ole Miss?

I have also criticized Miles for the lack of fire on the sidelines, especially when handling referees after bad calls. The lack of getting in the official’s ear was critical in the outcome of LSU’s games against both Florida and Alabama in 2009.

That aside, Miles has had a great offseason both in recruiting and in instilling a new toughness in the players after a very soft 2009 season in which the Tigers seemingly could not run the ball.

Miles is undoubtedly on somewhat of a hot seat at LSU right now with his biggest saving grace being the enormous buy out amount in his contract.

2010 will be a season in which the Tigers and Miles will be trying to reestablish themselves as a national championship contender. For Miles especially the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic against The University of North Carolina will be a crucial step in the redemption process.

With UNC’s defense playing shorthanded due to intensifying NCAA investigations, the Tigers are now the highly favored team in this match up.

LSU should be able to move the ball against a depleted UNC defense, and the LSU defense will be able to put tons of pressure on UNC quarterback T.J. Yates with speedy linebackers and shutdown corners.

This game should be very one-sided and will be Miles’ opportunity to prove, in front of a national audience, that he and the Tigers are back to championship caliber.

Miles needs to keep his foot on the gas and rout the Tar Heels as much as possible to win back the respect of Tiger fans and the national media. Anything less than a blowout will be a disappointment.

This game was somewhat of a must-win for Miles before the UNC investigations. Now there is no doubt.  The Tigers must not only win, but win convincingly to secure Miles’ future as the LSU head football coach.