The reaction to the LSU Tigers' dismissal Friday of Tyrann Mathieu, aka the Honey Badger, has been varied, but a SportsNation poll indicates a significant percentage of people believe this loss will cost LSU a shot at a national championship.
It is understandable why many people would feel that way, as Mathieu's playmaking ability led to key touchdowns in the Tigers' regular-season wins over the Oregon Ducks and Arkansas Razorbacks as well as an SEC title game victory over the Georgia Bulldogs.
As valuable as those skills are, however, a closer look shows that LSU should be able to absorb this loss with minimal impact on its national championship hopes.