Actually, LSU will be missing Jefferson and star receiver Russell Shepard, who was himself suspended for an unrelated NCAA rules violation. Senior Jarrett Lee will make his 10th career start at QB in place of Jefferson. When Jefferson was struggling last year, Lee split time with him and led game-winning, fourth-quarter drives against Tennessee and at Florida. Oregon also will be without  a star: cornerback and kick returner Cliff Harris, an All-American in just his sophomore season last year, was suspended for the game after an offseason run-in with the law. Harris led the country with 23 passes defended and the Pac-10 with six interceptions last season. Ironically, both LSU and Oregon are under NCAA scrutiny for their role in using the controversial scouting service director Will Lyles to aid them in recruiting.

LSU enters off an 11-2 season while Oregon was 12-1 last year, losing the national championship game on the final play against Auburn. The Ducks had by far the nation’s most potent offense in 2010, averaging 47 points per game, and bring back Heisman Trophy candidates in QB Darron Thomas and RB LaMichael James, the nation’s leading rusher in 2010. But Auburn may have provided teams a blueprint on how to slow that fast-paced Chip Kelly offense. LSU’s defense was No. 11 in the country last season in points allowed per game.

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