LSU signed what is said to be the nation's top group of incoming freshmen football players on the same day System President John Lombardi said as many as 173 faculty members could be layed off before those athletes reach a classroom.

Tiger football fans were overjoyed by the collection of prepsters that Head Coach Les Miles and his staff were able to sign up, including one who is considered the best in the nation.

Meanwhile Lombardi said 2,000 persons will be layed off at various campuses if the system is required to make a 30 percent budget cut for the yea beginning June 1.

That is the worst-case picture being heard in the halls of state government as the administration wrestles with where to ultimately place the expected deficit.

That 30 percent figure would mean $2.2 million at LSU at Eunice, including the layoff of 26 faculty members and eight from the support staff.

A cut of that proportion would bring to $2.6 million the amount sliced from the Eunice campus this year and next.

Whatever the final number turns out to be, and regardless how many fewer instructors are in place come the Fall, it is safe to forecast that the football season will begin on schedule.