LSU players face academic problems

Preseason No. 1 LSU suffered a major blow earlier this month when star defensive back Tyrann Mathieu was kicked off the team.

Now, the Tigers’ top running back from last season and a linebacker may be sidelined by academic problems.

LSU coach Les Miles confirmed Monday that running back Michael Ford and linebacker Tahj Jones were awaiting the results of appeals concerning their academic records.

“Yeah, there is some appeal process that being undertaken for those guys,” Miles said at a press luncheon according to the News Star of Monroe. “And we’ll kind of have to wait and see how that all turns out as we get closer to the game.”

LSU opens against North Texas State on Saturday.

Ford was LSU’s leading rusher last year with 756 yards on 127 carries and seven touchdowns, but was listed as no. 3 on this year’s depth chart behind junior Alfred Blue and sophomore Kenny Hilliard. Jones saw significant playing time last year as a backup and is listed as the No. 2 Sam linebacker this season.

100 comments Add your comment

zbulldawg

August 28th, 2012
10:20 am

This site is out of control ! Tech hires a coach without a college degree & they want to throw stones at other schools ! Amazing LET THE BIG DAWG EAT

Also Ran

August 28th, 2012
10:24 am

Kudos to LSU for having the cahonis to hold their players to a standard and the guts to follow through, knowing all the haters would jump on it. I dare the rest of the college football programs to do the same.

another UGA preseason title

August 28th, 2012
10:26 am

Dawgnlex is a complete tool,

7 yrs and 75 wins speaks for itself, that argument went stale about 4 yrs ago. There isn’t a player or coach on LSU’s current roster recruited by or coached for Nick Saban during his LSU tenure.

If you don’t like LSU, fine! But at least come up with a better line!

obamataxesagain

August 28th, 2012
10:28 am

Has Ga. ever played a easier schedule????

GATiger

August 28th, 2012
10:28 am

Les averages 11 wins a season and has 2 SEC and 1 BCS championships. And don’t give me that “riding on Saban’s coattails” By that same measurement, you could argue that Saban won his first BCS title with Shula’s players. I’ll take our buffoon over yours anyday.

Michael Ford led in rushing yards because he was the primary choice for the option, which we ran only because we didn’t have a viable passing game, and Jefferson was an average option QB at best.. I don’t see us running that much this year. Blue is up to 220 lbs. this year and fast as lightening. Hilliard (you remember him, don’t you – he scored 3 TDs in the SECCG, the last one running over your best CB) is a big, powerful bruiser, and FR Jeremy Hill might be better than both of them by season’s end.

Even if Ford doesn’t get clearance to play, we have 3 RBs with signficant experience and about 2000 combined yards last year. How many yards did your current RBs gain in 2011?

GT

August 28th, 2012
10:31 am

Donna Outlaw I make it every Christmas. I put a brown bag on my head like a chef’s hat, let my two married daughters and wife run around under my raised arms throwing stuff in the pot and when it comes out I take credit for it. I am in Atlanta but some day will take you up on dropping by, love that food yall got down there.

RAMZAD

August 28th, 2012
10:31 am

It is all about football and basketball at many of these large public sports diploma mills. That is why Harvard and Cornell can’t get into the SEC.

oldfart

August 28th, 2012
10:36 am

Doesn’t LSU realize that the AAA division of NFL minor league teams has an obligation to keep these guys on the field? If they keep this up Vegas will have to factor in a player’s GPA along with the injury reports. This is an industry people, get with the program.

B

August 28th, 2012
10:38 am

LSU will get these boy’s cleared. Mark it down!

lowelldearsman@yahoo.com

August 28th, 2012
10:49 am

UGA has the easiest schedule in history this year. They should win the SEC East but won’t beat Bama. LSU will not be as good as last year. Two teams that could be really good are Southern California and Florida State. I wouldn’t be surprised to see those 2 play for all the marbles in the end.

terry

August 28th, 2012
10:55 am

Miles will never get credit for much. Unfortunately it seems the premise has been set.

He kicks off his starting QB & Heisman trophy candidate off the team & he gets criticized for taking too long even though neither of them had trouble w/ the law or had been arrested.

Even w/ his W-L record it is either “anyone could win w/ that talent” or “He’s winning w/ Saban’s players”

His players have the second highest graduation rate in the SEC behind only Vanderbilt. I’m sure that’s b/c any idiot could graduate from there. Gimme a break. It just goes on & on…

Lion Heart

August 28th, 2012
11:17 am

Hilliard is the beast in that backfield. With Hilliard and Blue at RB, Michael Ford can bring his books to the sidelines and study during the games. He won’t have much else to do.

Lion Heart

August 28th, 2012
11:19 am

“Two teams that could be really good are Southern California and Florida State.”
——-
USC is down 10 scholarships. Depth could be a problem as the season wears on. …and they also have Layne Kiffin as their coach.

philSC

August 28th, 2012
11:23 am

@ DESTIN DWAG

UGA 10 South Carolina 42

philSC

August 28th, 2012
11:26 am

cant wait for some SEC football and fried taters. Gonna get some possum out the fridgerator for the buffalo game cause billy bob my great uncle who studied at Georgia is coming into to town! yeeeeee-haw

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
11:49 am

@ Buckeye:

Word is that Urban Myer has opened a Tattoo Parlor on campus. Can’t be too cautious these days!!!!!!!!!!

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
11:52 am

phil SC:

Word is your uncle and daddy are one and the same!!!!!!

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
11:58 am

@ Lion Heart:

The only test on the USCw schedule is Oregon but if USCw meets an SEC team for the NC it should turn out another SEC NC. Even Visorman and his USCe Chikuns probably could take a Kiffen-coached team!!!!!!!!!

Rampdawg

August 28th, 2012
11:58 am

Whiskey Breath

August 28th, 2012
8:36 am

I realize you mutts have the luxury to change rules, schedules, etc. Generally it backfires on you bulldykes. You are always one of the leaders in penalties. Frankly, that is a practice or coaching issue. That hitting below the waist rule will backfire. The elimation of the kickoff rule powered by Coward Richt, will hurt everyone. It will make the game less exciting. Oh, it hasn’t passed yet, but it is coming. Ga can’t beat you on the field, but they sure have the power to change the rules, They influence the rules committee.
————————————————————————————————————————————–
The absolute, most idiotic thing ever posted on a blog. See above.
Way to use that jello you have for a brain WB

get it right

August 28th, 2012
12:09 pm

get it right all you smart guys….it is UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS……NOT North Texas State…..you that seem to know all, know little

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
12:16 pm

@ GA Tiger(aka LSU kitty-cat):

Two RBs combined for well over 3500 yds. last season!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Chris

August 28th, 2012
12:17 pm

Who new academics mattered in the SEC?

Paddy

August 28th, 2012
12:24 pm

get it right…..does it really matter what we call N.Texas State? They are just glad to be invited into the “big house” for a meal. There name, reguardless of how you say it, will be just a memory very soon.

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
12:27 pm

@ Ramp dawg:

I guess they finally found out about us(Dawg Nation)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FCAT: Vince Dooley = Still on Rules Comittee as Chairman!!!!!!!!!!!!

FATC: CMR’s brother-in-law = Makes ALL SEC schedules!!!!!!!!!(How else does one explain the UGA Schedule of 2011 and 2012??????????? We ar.. uh…. He has already shown me the next 5 yrs. SEC Schedules. Y’all AIN’T seen nothing yet!!!

Life is good in Dawg Nation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
12:32 pm

@ Chris:

Who NEW??? That’s KNEWS to us

Are you a product of an SEC school??????????????

OMG

August 28th, 2012
12:34 pm

You guys have too much time on your hands.

SEC Champ

August 28th, 2012
12:42 pm

No I know where all the 40 year old virgins hangout. On the AJC blogs, what a bunch of losers!!!!!

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
12:42 pm

@ Also ran:

According to ESPN and articles in the Sporting News The Honey Badger incurred his 6th or 7th drug violation before he was booted and now is in rehab!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe a few other schools do take action by the 6th or 7th violation! Kno whut I’m sayin????????????????

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
12:53 pm

@ Ga Tiger:

How is 75 wins in 7 seasons equate to winning an average of 11 wins per season??????????

CMR has the 6th best won/loss record in the nation among current coaches! Miles and Saban are NOT one of the 5 above him

Chris

August 28th, 2012
1:02 pm

Braniac- that is my point. I figured no one reading about the SEC would know any better

another comment

August 28th, 2012
1:14 pm

LSU accepts regular students with less than a 2.4 GPA all the time and lets them stay with under a 1.99. They told this tidbit on a rucruit trip to my daughters school. Olde Miss and Mississipi State tell our Georgia Students the same thing when they come to try to recruit the masses. Under 1,000 SAT no problem. Way under no problem.

Our subdivision pervert ( peeping tom) with camera’s aimed in my house bathroom and bedroom, female Kenstone Hospital Livingroom Bedroom, yard, Lockhead Employee yard, Female Attorney’s yard and house. Use to fly all of these LSU flags. When I told two of the HOA people one who both she and her husband graduated from HARVARD and another neighbor who graduated from University of Chicago they were shocked. Then I showed them the actual recruiting info. they left at the school. Then the neighbor who worked at Lockhead ran a deep background check and we found out the moron next door could not even get into LSU. He had been arrested for Trespassing in Florida. He liked to walk through back yards and claim he was the HOA and stare at people in their swimming pools. Then he and wife were working out of their houses, but no business licenses. The county she needs revenue.

LSU has low standards. He was too stupid to be a pervert around people who actually went and graduated from real schools.

Wilson Pickett

August 28th, 2012
1:17 pm

Mark Richt isn’t listed as a NC coach but he does show his thug players how to hold their nose when jumping into the pool!

UGA=1980….much more mouth than trophies

LSU will but just fine without either. The SEC is Alabama and LSU and the rest of you are playing for 3rd place.

another UGA preseason title

August 28th, 2012
1:34 pm

another comment,

cool story bro!

What does that have anything to do with football?

DawgNole

August 28th, 2012
1:38 pm

RAMZAD
August 28th, 2012
10:31 am

It is all about football and basketball at many of these large public sports diploma mills. That is why Harvard and Cornell can’t get into the SEC.
____________________

Somehow I don’t think Harvard and Cornell have any interest whatsoever in getting into the SEC.

Dawgnlex is a complete tool

August 28th, 2012
1:56 pm

LSWho cant win the championship without Nick Saban’s recruits….

GATiger

August 28th, 2012
1:57 pm

Re: Les Miles’ record – I was rounding up. I guess that concept is foreign to you.

Brainiac, what 2 RBs combined for over 3500 yds last season?

another comment, your information is completely erroneous. The average GPA for an incoming freshman at LSU is about the same as at UGA. Admissions policies are similar to those in Athens. The best are admitted to the BR campus. The others are relegated to other system schools.

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
2:27 pm

@ Vol man:

What would a Vol know about winning??? FOLDING however, is a different story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

down south fan

August 28th, 2012
2:35 pm

ok you people put these young men down but when game time comes youre carry there jock straps . just so you can my team is better than yours,live your own dreams stop vampiring off of someone elses mistakes and to the jerk with the perfect kid tell CHRIST hello..

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
2:36 pm

@ Ga. Tiger:

I’ve heard of rounding up and rounding down! Why not just say approximately 11 wins per season???????????Apparently you are no stickler for details!!!!!!!!!

Ever heard of KEITH MARSHALL(No. 1 rated RB in 2011) an TODD GURLEY(Already being compared to Trent Richardson)???????????????

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
2:47 pm

@ Chris:

Sorry Bro. I’m a little slow today!!!!! All responses are welcome!!!!!!!!!!!

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
2:49 pm

Ga Tiger:

I never mentioned GPA or entry requirements!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
3:00 pm

@ Wilson Pickett:

CMR has a better winning percentage than ALL BUT 5 current coaches in Div. I Football. Miles and Saban are NOT among those 5!!!

You say CMR is not mentioned among NC!!!!!

You are not mentioned among those with an IQ above Single Digit… for the same reason that CMR is not mentioned among NC!!!!!!!!!

Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)

August 28th, 2012
3:04 pm

@ wilson pickett:

UGA players hold their nose ONLY when jumping into the pool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bammy players/fans. on the other hand, hold theirs when approaching you and your ilk!!!!!!!!!!!!

Columbus

August 28th, 2012
6:09 pm

Everybody is overlooking Arkansas. Had they not changed coaches they would be seriously talked about but since they are not being talked about nobody is remembering that they STILL have all their players and I believe they have Bama and LSU at home AND they STILL have Petrino’s son calling the offensive plays…..

LSU is stronger than Bama. Bama not only lost players on defense they lost LEADERS on the defense. Bama’s defense will not be as strong and that will be enough for LSU and maybe Arkansas to beat them. LSU will have a STRONGER offense and Arkansas’ will again be damn good.

Dont count out Arkansas. They likely wont beat LSU and Bama, thats a tough task. But they might not lose but one SEC game this year. LSU might lose one and Bama definitely might. Bama might be 3rd best in the west this year. I think Arkansas can outscore them and LSU definitely can beat them and owes them one big time….

DawgNole

August 28th, 2012
6:52 pm

Columbus
August 28th, 2012
6:09 pm

Dont count out Arkansas. They likely wont beat LSU and Bama, thats a tough task. But they might not lose but one SEC game this year.
____________________

If they lose to LSU & Bama, how can they lose but one SEC game?

GATiger

August 28th, 2012
7:57 pm

Brainiac, you’re gonna give me HS stats? OK, here’s some HS stats for you:

Alfred Blue – 1695 as a senior at Hahnville HS
Jeremy Hill – 2260 as a senior at Redemptorist HS
Kenny Hilliard – 1804 as a senior at Patterson HS (missed 2 games with injuries) and 8603 total in 4 years.

You mean those kind of stats?

don

August 28th, 2012
8:37 pm

Columbus,Bama’s defense might not be as good but the offense will be better.Could be a wash between the 2.

Reality

August 28th, 2012
8:48 pm

Why the big surprise? All these schools care about is can they play football? If someone took a survey of these guys after they leave college they would find a bunch of guys in low paying jobs or most likely Jobless. Even if they go pro after that career is over they are broke. It hasn’t changed much. Even since the pro player from Oklahoma went to congress some years ago to testify after he left college he could not even read or write. He testifyed with tears in his eyes. And fans don’t care. All they care about is winning. I love college ball but its a sad situation on academics.

lucie

August 29th, 2012
1:24 pm

It is possible these players are apealing an NCAA rule change that for some reason is retroactive to last season. The rule involves an increase in the amount of credits an NCAA athlete is required to pass/complete (9) in order to remain eligible. This rule seemed to be designed to keep underclassmen in school and looks like the target is NCAA underclassmen participating in Basketball (as in keeping NBA prospects from playing one season and jumping to the NBA). However, its hurting other athletes, mostly Juniors and Seniors who are still on track to graduate, but who may have only passed/completed 6-8 minimum credits previously required to remain eligible to play. By the NCAA making this rule retroactive to last season, a lot of Sr student athletes participating in NCAA DIV I Football who were elligible under the old rules are being forced to sit out 4 games even though they will graduate at the end of the fall semester. The rule will probably be adjusted, but adjustments with regard to NCAA rules are a SLOW process so the current student athletes who only completed 6-8 units but will graduate at the end of the term will likely suffer the 4 game penalty unless someone on the NCAA rules committee steps up and issues a blanket waiver for this season to the Jr and Sr athetes that are on track to graduate. That would give the compliance directors time to assess which underclassmen need to adjust their academic schedule to comply to the new rule.

lucie

August 29th, 2012
1:24 pm

It is possible these players are apealing an NCAA rule change that for some reason is retroactive to last season. The rule involves an increase in the amount of credits an NCAA athlete is required to pass/complete (9) in order to remain eligible. This rule seemed to be designed to keep underclassmen in school and looks like the target NCAA underclassmen participating in Basketball (as in keeping NBA prospects from playing one season and jumping to the NBA). However, its hurting other athletes, mostly Juniors and Seniors who are still on track to graduate, but who may have only passed/completed 6-8 minimum credits previously required to remain eligible to play. By the NCAA making this rule retroactive to last season, a lot of Sr student athletes participating in NCAA DIV I Football who were elligible under the old rules are being forced to sit out 4 games even though they will graduate at the end of the fall semester. The rule will probably be adjusted, but adjustments with regard to NCAA rules are a SLOW process so the current student athletes who only completed 6-8 units but will graduate at the end of the term will likely suffer the 4 game penalty unless someone on the NCAA rules committee steps up and issues a blanket waiver for this season to the Jr and Sr athetes that are on track to graduate. That would give the compliance directors time to assess which underclassmen need to adjust their academic schedule to comply to the new rule.