Hard as it was to believe, LSU’s offense was not firing on all cylinders in the Tigers’ 63-28 Peach Bowl demolition of Oklahoma.
Yes, LSU scored nine touchdowns, achieved 32 first downs and racked up 692 yards on 9.35 a snap. But it could’ve been even better (if you can stomach that thought) had their starting running back been healthy.
Clyde Edwards-Helaire played in the game -- two carries, 14 yards -- but was severely limited from a hamstring injury suffered in post-SEC Championship, pre-Peach Bowl December practices. Freshman Chris Curry assumed starter duty, carrying 16 times for 90 yards.
But the two-and-a-half week break has served Edwards-Helaire’s bum hammy well, and both the player and coach Ed Orgeron said during the CFP media day on Saturday that he’s good to go for Monday night.
LSU RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire says his hamstring is “100%”
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) January 11, 2020
Ed Orgeron says RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire is 100 percent pic.twitter.com/b5Q53P7Hn5
— Barrett Sallee 🇺🇸 (@BarrettSallee) January 11, 2020
The junior from Baton Rouge has enjoyed a career year, toting 199 carries for 1,304 yards (doubling his 2018 output) for 16 touchdowns. He uses his slight frame (LSU lists him at 5-foot-8) to his advantage, victimizing numerous defenders with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-him spin move to avoid trouble in the hole.
Edwards-Helaire is also a threat in the passing game, hauling in 50 grabs for 399 yards and one touchdown.
Against a defense as ferocious as Clemson’s, LSU will need to give Joe Burrow every option it can, and it appears his arsenal will be at full strength.
