For LSU, a good offense has always proved to be the best defense. But now the school that hosts the nationally ranked Tigers is facing a foe that makes the Crimson Tide seem weak: budget cuts.

Louisiana's public colleges are hoping for the best but preparing for the worst as they face a drop in state funding of up to 82 percent. As the state legislature fails to make headway covering a $608 million shortfall in higher education spending, its public colleges are bracing for the prospect of budget cuts so deep some institutions — including the state's biggest public flagship — might have to declare financial exigency. That's college funding-speak for something akin to bankruptcy.

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Since 2009, tuition and fees have climbed by 61 percent while state funding has dropped by 55 percent, a drop of $90 million.

"We've already shifted to mostly being funded by tuition revenue in a state that has a relatively low income population," Woodley said. Further cuts would just hurt the most vulnerable.