The University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill football program finds itself in strange waters these days, even as it prepares to open against Louisiana State University on Saturday.

First came news of an NCAA investigation into two players’ association with a sports agent. But now the school is dealing with a much more serious issue — allegations about academic improprieties involving tutors. That’s as far as university officials will go in describing their concerns. Unofficially, sources have suggested that one or more tutors were writing papers for Tar Heel football players.

UNC always has emphasized the student part of student-athlete, and this case is no exception. Coach Butch Davis, UNC Chancellor Holden Thorp and athletic director Dick Baddour wore grim faces last week in a press conference where they announced the problems.

Thorp has pledged to to take a no-nonsense approach to the investigation and any sanctions that stem from what may have happened. It’s unusual, to say the least, for Carolina to find itself in this position. The graduation rates of its basketball teams, in particular, often are held up as an example of how academic success and national championships can go hand in hand.

Tar Heel fans had reason to have high hopes for their football team this year. The Heels enter the season ranked 18th in the country.

Those hopes have taken a back seat to the allegations at hand — and rightfully so. The university’s handling of the NCAA investigation and the academic scandal are more serious than wins and losses.

As much as it pains UNC fans to watch a press conference like the one that unfolded last week, the actions of Davis, Thorp and Baddour will do far more for the future of the program than anything that happens on the football field this year.