LSU game is now a fascinating test of UNC coaches

North Carolina athletics director Dick Baddour is continuing to insist he has confidence in Butch Davis, despite the fact that 13 players are now ineligible for the opening game. Davis has shown he can recruit elite players, but has yet to show he can guide UNC to victories in elite games and a high-level season. And that’s why tonight’s game with LSU is perhaps even more interesting given the off-the-field mess.

Last year was almost two seasons for UNC. Carolina’s opposing coaches were clearly superior in the UNC losses to Georgia Tech, Virginia and Florida State. But Davis and his staff deserve credit for turning around the season with a win at Virginia Tech and a closing stretch that included four wins in the final six games.

Carolina faces a fascinating challenge now on two fronts. The first, and most obvious, is, will Carolina be ready to play? The personnel losses don’t matter once 8 p.m. arrives and the hitting starts, and fans will watch to see if UNC plays with poise and precision.

The other is strategy. Offensive coordinator John Shoop and defensive coordinator Everett Withers face distinct challenges with their game plans.

Shoop has lost the bulk of his running game and his best receiver. But he has to attack against LSU, given that Carolina won’t win this game with defense. How much does he rely on Johnny White at tailback? How much does he throw downfield? How much confidence does he show in those young receivers who are now sophomores? And if the offense wobbles under T.J. Yates, does he bring in Bryn Renner?

Withers is in this third season at UNC and has benefited from tremendous talent. He is also the secondary coach, so he’s quite familiar with the backups who will start tonight. He has an inexperienced, and thin, defensive line.

Does he blitz often and leave his secondary exposed? Does he keep his linebackers back, and hope his pass rush is still sufficient?

In some ways, this game is like the NFL strike season. It was fascinating to see how the NFL’s great coaches responded to totally different personnel.

The LSU games offers a fascinating chess match - and an interesting glimpse into how well Carolina’s coaches can use their personnel.

UNC's Carter and Sturdivant cleared to play

UNC players Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant have been cleared to play in Saturday’s game vs. LSU, Kevin Best of the University of North Carolina Sports Information Office has announced. The Tar Heel linebackers are scheduled to arrive in Atlanta any time now.

The NCAA has requested more information in the case of senior safety Deunta Williams and he will not play against LSU.

Breaking down UNC's depth for the LSU game

Now that we know the impact of the NCAA and academic investigations into North Carolina, at least as far as the LSU game, let’s take a look at how this impacts the Tar Heels.

Players who are out for the game are in italics - players who were left in Chapel Hill Friday but still might play are in bold.

On defense:
Likely starter (Backup)
LDE: Quinton Coples (Dante Paige-Moss)
LDT: Marvin Austin (Jordan Nix)
RDT: Tydreke Powell (Jared McAdoo)
RDE: Robert Quinn (Michael McAdoo)

A great defensive line gets wiped out. There is still talent, but very little depth – fortunately for UNC, this game will be played indoors, and out of the humidity of Atlanta. Here’s what will likely happen – Carolina will use rotate Tydreke Powell, Jared McAdoo and Jordan Nix. They are OK there.

The defensive ends are hit hard, with Robert Quinn and backup Michael McAdoo both out.

Dante Paige-Moss showed talent as a top-rated freshman and appears to have matured since an incident at N.C. State. Quinton Coples was switching from DE to DT replace Austin but may be needed at defense end more in this game.

The issue here – no depth. Any short-term or long-term injuries will be devastating at this point.

Will LB: Quan Sturdivant (Zach Brown)
Mike LB: Kevin Reddick (Shane Mularkey)
Sam LB: Bruce Carter (Dion Guy)

Bruce Carter and Quan Sturdivant were cleared to play, so Carolina is still super strong here. Zach Brown can really play, so UNC enters the game with four potent linebackers.

CB: Kendric Burney (LeCount Fantroy)
CB: Charles Brown (Mywan Jackson)
FS: Deunta Williams (Matt Merletti)
SS Da’Norris Searcy (Jonathan Smith)

Butch Davis raved about backup corners Mywan Jackson and LeCount Fantroy this week. Still, having two untested corners AND two untested safeties is a recipe for trouble. LSU can throw the ball, and coordination in the secondary is so critical. You could really see Carolina giving up big plays in this game, especially since it won’t have its usual pass rush to harass the quarterback.

On offense, the Tar Heel s have enough depth to replace Greg Little at receiver. The most important person in this game may be Johnny White. He’ll likely start at tailback, and he had a great camp. With Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston out, Carolina’s offense has to keep moving, and the Tar Heels’ ground game will rely on White.

Remember, freshman running back Giovani Bernard was hurt in camp, so the Heels enter the game without three of their top four backs.

Status of three other players in question for UNC

In addition to the 12 players definitely out against LSU, three other players did not take the trip with teammates to Atlanta for Saturday's opener as the school tries to determine their eligibility for the game.

The three players are all big names and stalwarts on the defense - linebacker Bruce Carter, linebacker Quan Sturdivant and safety Deunta Williams.

If they are not cleared to play, that would mean that eight defensive starters are out, including the entire defensive secondary.

Finally - 12 Carolina players out for LSU game

The University of North Carolina has declared six student-athletes on the football team ineligible for Saturday’s season-opening game for violating school and/or NCAA rules, the school announced Friday. The University is also withholding at least six other student-athletes from Saturday’s game while the investigation continues.

The six ineligible student-athletes include: defensive tackle Marvin Austin, cornerback Charles Brown, cornerback Kendric Burney, wide receiver Greg Little, defensive end Michael McAdoo and defensive end Robert Quinn.

Six other student-athletes who will be withheld from Saturday’s game include: tailback Shaun Draughn, defensive end Linwan Euwell, safety Brian Gupton, tailback Ryan Houston, safety Da’Norris Searcy and safety Jonathan Smith.

The number of games that those 12 student-athletes may miss has not been determined at this time. The investigation continues to include both agent-related and academic issues.

The university also continued to work Friday with the NCAA to determine the eligibility status of three other players. Those three will not accompany the team to Atlanta on Friday morning. Further information will be announced when a decision on their status for the game is reached.

“We’re obviously very disappointed to learn that the actions of a number of our student-athletes have resulted in their being unable to compete in Saturday’s game,” said Director of Athletics Dick Baddour. “It is important to note again that people should not make assumptions as to the nature of each student-athlete’s involvement with these issues.

“We are still working with the NCAA staff to resolve these eligibility issues. The NCAA is focusing on each of their situations on a case-by-case basis. Together we are working to determine their status in as thorough and fair a process as is possible.

“I know our fans share my disappointment, but I hope they will show their strong support for the student-athletes on the football team who will represent our University on Saturday. I am proud of the way they have worked so hard to prepare for this season despite numerous distractions. They have my full support.”

“Moving forward, Dick Baddour, Butch Davis and I are determined to use this as an opportunity to look hard at our programs, resources and people to ensure that everyone associated with the football program upholds the values that are central to Carolina’s culture, most especially our academic values,” said Chancellor Holden Thorp.

“As I’ve have said, there is no single game more important than the character and integrity of this university,” said head football coach Butch Davis. “We are disappointed the players’ choices have denied them the opportunity to compete alongside their teammates and represent the University of North Carolina. Our coaches and players have a tremendous challenge this weekend, and despite these circumstances, our team will be excited to face LSU.”