Oregon @ Louisiana State preview

THE STORY: Two key players will be missing when No. 3 Oregon and No. 4 LSU square off in the marquee Saturday game of college football’s opening weekend. LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson was one of two Tigers suspended indefinitely after being arrested on second-degree felony battery charges following a recent altercation outside a bar. Oregon will be without star cornerback Cliff Harris, who was suspended indefinitely because of an off-season speeding incident. The Ducks lost to Auburn in last season’s BCS National Championship Game and are candidates to return this season. LSU is also forecasted to be in the title mix and figures to battle Alabama for the Southeastern Conference's West Division crown.

TV: ABC. LINE: Oregon -4.

ABOUT LSU (11-2 in 2010): The Tigers have been dealing with distractions because of the incident in which Jefferson and sophomore linebacker Joshua Johns were arrested and suspended. Also, junior receiver Russell Shepard was suspended by the NCAA for a rules violation. The loss of Jefferson puts senior quarterback Jarrett Lee back in the spotlight. Lee started eight games in 2008 but had an up-and-down campaign in which he passed for 14 touchdowns and was intercepted 16 times. He started only once in the past two seasons. Senior cornerback Morris Claiborne (five interceptions) is an All-American candidate after playing in the shadow of shutdown corner Patrick Peterson, the fifth overall pick in April’s NFL Draft. Senior linebacker Ryan Baker had seven sacks in 2010.

ABOUT OREGON (12-1 in 2010): The Ducks are explosive on offense and the two biggest factors for that are back for their junior seasons. Running back LaMichael James is one of the nation’s top players after rushing for 1,731 yards and finishing third in the Heisman Trophy balloting. Quarterback Darron Thomas passed for 30 touchdowns and was intercepted only nine times. Senior middle linebacker Dewitt Stuckey will be counted on to lead the defense after the offseason arrest of Kiko Alonso. The situation with Harris (six interceptions in 2010) isn’t Oregon’s only recent controversial issue. Running back Lache Seastrunk was given his release from the program in August and announced a transfer to Baylor. The NCAA is investigating whether Seastrunk was influenced to choose Oregon by a recruiting service that Oregon paid $25,000.

EXTRA POINTS

1. This is the fourth meeting between the Tigers and Ducks. LSU won the most recent contest 56-17 in 1977.

2. Thomas’ 30 passing scores last season were two shy of the school record set by Akili Smith in 1998.

3. LSU assistant Steve Kragthorpe stepped down as offensive coordinator in early August after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and Greg Studrawa was promoted to coordinator.

PREDICTION: Oregon 38, LSU 23 - The powerful Ducks use their offensive firepower to overwhelm LSU’s defense and Oregon's defense limits the inconsistent Lee to win the showdown of top five teams.