UNC Tar Heels Vs. LSU Tigers in Chick-Fil-A Bowl: Great Shot Despite NCAA Probes

The first bit of news pertaining to two recent NCAA probes into the UNC football team surfaced in Chapel Hill on Wednesday.

Head coach Butch Davis announced that starting defensive tackle Marvin Austin has been suspended indefinitely from the football team and therefore will not play against LSU this Saturday as the Tar Heels open their 2010 season in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

“Marvin has violated team rules and has neglected his responsibilities to the team,” Davis said in a statement. “This decision is not a result of the ongoing NCAA review.”

Davis can say that it’s not a result of the NCAA probes, but it is most certainly a byproduct of them. Allegations surfaced during the summer, involving Austin and improper contact with an agent. The NCAA is conducting an investigation into the relationship of agent Gary Wichard, assistant coach John Blake, and how it pertains to current Carolina players.

Last week, North Carolina said it came across other possible infractions amongst its football players and reported them to the NCAA. A former tutor, who personally tutored Davis’ son, allegedly wrote papers for members of the football team.

Because the University brought the academic improprieties to the NCAA’s attention, the governing body is allowing North Carolina to conduct its own review with its own staff. Reports linked Austin, as well as many other players, to the academic infractions.

Preseason All-American defensive end Robert Quinn found his name attached to the academic probe, but denied any wrongdoing. Quinn said this week that the former tutor did work with him, but he’s “not involved with that.”

Quinn has been removed from the first-team defense in preparation for this weekend’s game.

Reports have so many players involved in the investigations that Davis hasn’t even released a depth chart yet for the LSU game, simply calling his roster “fluid." 

On Wednesday, Carolina announced that players will not talk to the media for the rest of the week, and Davis won’t be available for comment, either. So, yes, which version of the Carolina football team shows up in Atlanta on Saturday remains to be seen.

The University will probably have to make its own decision on who plays and who sits, because it is highly unlikely that the NCAA’s review will come to a conclusion prior to kickoff.

All is not lost in Chapel Hill this week, however. The infractions and the probes take precedence over any other storyline, but out of this fire may come a great positive.

At stake is redemption for a quarterback and his offense.

How Will T.J. Yates Respond?

T.J. Yates enters his senior season as Carolina’s second-best career passer, but that’s not an indication of overall performance. There were times in 2009 where Yates seemingly struggled to orchestrate a drive.

Behind a depleted offensive line, Yates threw 15 interceptions to only 14 touchdowns. His 2,136 passing yards simply weren’t enough. He overthrew open receivers, lacked the confidence that a junior typically exudes, and heard boos from the Kenan Stadium crowds in Chapel Hill.

That’s not to say that Yates can’t be a good quarterback, though. Despite harsh local criticism—and it was loud—Yates responded with character and toughness. He didn’t make excuses, and he didn’t look for a scapegoat.

After blowing a 24-6 third-quarter lead at home against Florida State—on a nationally televised Thursday night game, no less—Carolina seemed a little deflated now that it stood at 4-3 and watched its bowl hopes begin to fade away. 

The following Thursday, the Tar Heels had to go on the road to face No. 14 ranked Virginia Tech. Critics gave them little shot to even make the game competitive against the Hokies.

But Yates answered the challenge and led Carolina to a 20-17 victory.

After disposing of Duke, Yates did enough to help Carolina knock off No. 12 ranked Miami in Chapel Hill. Yates wasn’t doing the work of a Bradford or a Tebow, but he showed something. He showed a little guile at a time when mediocrity ate away at Carolina.

When Carolina lost in the Meineke Car Care Bowl for the second-consecutive season, the speculation began. Who would be the Tar Heels quarterback in 2010-11?

Yates no longer held the starting job hostage. Davis noted that he would have to fiercely compete with redshirt freshman Bryn Renner if he wanted to be under center on Sept. 4, 2010 against LSU. 

The two QBs battled throughout camp, and Yates came out victorious. For now.

Renner will be pressuring him all year to play well, and Davis will not wait to make a change. But that’s good for T.J. Yates. How is he going to respond?

Yates has a fantastic opportunity to show off the hard work that he put in since last December and end his collegiate career as a starting quarterback. 

The Offense’s Time to Shine Has Come

Carolina is a defensive-minded football team.

When you have five possible first-round picks on your defense, according to ESPN’s draft guru Mel Kiper Jr., that’s whose number you pull.

Of course, everything changes now that the investigations have been revealed.

Yates said this week that the probes affect the defense more than the offense, but that he didn’t know who would be available to play in Week 1.

Regardless, it’s clear that if UNC is going to beat the LSU Tigers, the offense is going to have to play a superb game.

LSU has a very good secondary and senior Kelvin Sheppard at middle linebacker. Sheppard has made some preseason All-American lists and will undoubtedly be after Yates come Saturday evening.

It’s hard to determine what type of game will unfold in the first week of the season—all teams face early jitters and must establish a comfort level on both sides of the ball—but Yates will need to use his playmakers to put points on the board.

Senior Greg Little’s eligibility for the game is in question, but he will be a primary target for Yates if he suits up.

Jheranie Boyd and Erik Highsmith are two very talented sophomores who made an impact as freshmen last year. Asking them to become game-changing receivers this early may be a bit much, but they will both have to break at least one big play against LSU.

In the red zone, Yates can look to senior tight end Zack Pianalto. Pianalto missed four games last year with a leg injury, but he has already set the all-time record for receiving for tight ends at Carolina.

If the game unfolds like Davis probably wants it to, then Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston will pound the ball behind a physical offensive line and Yates won’t have to handle the entire offensive burden.

UNC entered the season returning 19 starters, the most in the ACC.

The investigations threw a dagger into the depth chart and any preseason expectations. The questions on offense now complement new questions on defense.

To be certain, nothing is certain for Carolina. But at some point, the Tar Heels will have to move on with the guys they have.

They will have to take the field, and football will be played.

Which team shows up?

Who knows?

But from adversity stems opportunity.

And for Yates and the offense, a fresh opportunity is a beautiful thing.

Follow Teddy Mitrosilis on Twitter. You can reach him at [e-mail].