Relax, LSU will be fine without the Honey Badger

Ever since Les Miles dismissed Tyrann Mathieu (aka the Honey Badger) from the team yesterday, members of the media have said that his loss derails any chance that LSU had to win the national championship this season.

While his departure certainly doesn’t help their cause, the Tigers will still have a great season without him.

Mathieu was clearly the most electrifying player on the team last year. Every time that the Tigers needed a big play, he seemingly came up with one, forcing a school-record 11 fumbles. LSU scored six TDs last year when they were behind, and the Honey Badger scored three of them. His penchant for making clutch plays earned him a trip to New York as a Heisman finalist.

However, to say that his loss eliminates LSU from winning the national championship is absurd. The reason that the Tigers dominated everyone last season was because the front seven simply manhandled its opponents. The Bayou Bengals were always in opposing backfields, leading the nation in sacks and tackles for a loss. They also thrived against top competition, holding two of the top nation’s top rushers in LaMichael James and Michael Dyer to a combined 104 yards on 30 carries.

Many of the top players from this stalwart defensive line return this year, including Barkevious Mingo, Anthony Johnson, and Sam Montgomery. With another year’s experience under John Chavis, they will continue to terrorize opposing QBs, which will force some ill-advised throws.

Let’s not forget that the Tigers play in the SEC West, which means that they always land the nation’s top talent. While Jalen Collins and Jalen Mills are inexperienced, they would not have earned a scholarship to LSU if they didn’t have exceptional cover skills.

In other words, there should be no drop off in the secondary this season, even with the loss of three very highly decorated starters.

Make no mistake about it -- Alabama is still the team to beat in the national championship race.

But even with the loss of Mathieu, the Tigers will be nipping at their heals, and have the advantage of playing the Crimson Tide in Death Valley.

Terry Johnson is a member of the FWAA and covers college football for www.CollegeFootballNews.com. Please contact him via email at johnsoncfn@gmail.com, or follow him on Twitter @TPJCollFootball