LSU Suspensions: Will Ware and Mathieu Cost the Tigers Against Alabama?

The No. 1 LSU Tigers looked like they were on their way to a dream season this year. Judging by the way the Tigers rolled through the first half of the season, it appeared that the only ones who would be able to stop them would be themselves.

Well, that very well may have just happened.

Yesterday, the Associated Press reported that LSU has suspended star cornerback and potential Heisman candidate Tyrann Mathieu, leading rusher Spencer Ware and fourth leading tackler Tharold Simon for reportedly failing random drug tests.

LSU has neither confirmed nor denied the report.

The news has sent shock waves through the college football world, as many are now questioning what this will mean for the Tigers’ potential title run.

This is not the first time that LSU has had to deal with a major suspension this season.

Starting quarterback Jordan Jefferson was suspended indefinitely back in August for his involvement in a Baton Rouge bar fight. Jefferson was eventually allowed to return when the charges against him were reduced.

This is a different set of circumstances, though.

The Tigers are now 7-0 on the season and they’ve solidified their status as the national title favorite.

When you see this type of selfishness from such key players right in the middle of the season, it makes you question what this team’s mindset and focus are really like.

Are the Tigers really committed to winning a national championship this year?

Right now, it sounds like the three players will only miss this weekend’s Tiger Bowl against Auburn, a matchup that LSU is favored to win by three touchdowns. But looming on the horizon is the huge showdown with No. 2 Alabama on Nov. 5.

Although their losses will hurt, LSU certainly has the type of talent to survive without the three players

Michael Ford, who is averaging 5.4 yards per carry this season, is a perfectly capable replacement for Spencer Ware. Even though Tyrann Mathieu has been a star impact player this season, cornerback Morris Claiborne may actually be the best defensive back in the country.

Even if Les Miles allows the three players back for the battle with the Tide, it’s fair to speculate what type of effect the suspensions will have on the rest of the team.

On the field isn’t where I would be concerned; it’s the effect on the locker room environment that would have me worried.

How will this news impact the collective team psyche, especially as they’re in the midst of such a crucial part of the season?

This is the type of situation that can either divide a team or strengthen it.

Will the Tigers rally in the face of outside scrutiny and take an “us against the world” approach? Or will the suspensions destroy all the momentum they’ve built up in the first seven weeks?

They shouldn’t have a problem against Auburn this week, but it will be interesting to see how the Tigers handle all this newly found adversity in the weeks leading up to the Alabama game.

Read the AP report regarding the suspensions: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hiZj2hPHJ-4YR2NZkVYXPpjr0hAA?docId=15f9fc40f69c4578bcda24439848bf26