Through three weeks of football, the talk of the town has been LSU’s defensive dominance. Led by All-American Glenn Dorsey and the talented defensive line, the Tigers are No. 1 nationally in total defense and scoring defense, allowing 128 yards and 2.3 points per game. But LSU’s offense has been almost as good. Just like its defensive counterpart, LSU’s offensive line has been receiving steady praise from coach Les Miles. The third-year coach named center Brett Helms as the offensive MVP of Saturday’s game against Middle Tennessee. “Helms is having a strong season,” Miles said. “He can be a dominant force in the middle. We enjoy his leadership.” Helms is the signal-caller of the Tigers’ offensive line that has blocked for three different quarterbacks and five different running backs so far this season. Helms said the substitution of multiple players doesn’t affect the offensive line’s ability to block. “Whoever is back there, we think [they are] going to get the job done,” Helms said. “We really don’t pay attention to who’s out there.” In its first three games, LSU amassed 693 rushing yards for an average of 231 yards per game, ranking No. 17 in the nation. Through three games this past season, LSU gained just 443 rushing yards for an average of 146.6 yards per game using a similar caravan of running backs. Sophomore starting left tackle Ciron Black said although it is important to run the football effectively, the most important job of the offensive line is keeping the quarterback’s jersey clean. “Our biggest goals are to run the football, control the line of scrimmage and keep the defense off the quarterback,” Black said. “We do not want the quarterback to be touched.” The Tigers have done a decent job of keeping their quarterbacks upright so far this season allowing only seven sacks. “The first thing we look at is keeping our quarterback healthy,” Helms said. “That is our number one priority.” The offensive line, unlike the defensive line, rarely substitutes for its starters. With the exception of true freshmen Joseph Barksdale and Jarvis Jones and junior Ryan Miller, the line remains relatively unchanged throughout the game. The Tigers’ defense line shuffles up to 10 different players throughout the game. “The more you play, the more you know the guy next to you has your back,” Helms said. “You know in big games how he plays and how he handles himself.” Playing alongside Helms and Black is senior tackle Carnell Stewart, sophomore guard Lyle Hitt, and junior guard Herman Johnson. Missing from that group is preseason All-American guard Will Arnold. The senior has fought lingering ankle and leg injuries since his freshman season and has played sparingly so far. Although Arnold has struggled to log significant playing time, Helms said when he plays the line doesn’t miss a beat. “We got out there and whoever is in, we play,” Helms said. “[Arnold] will get in there, and we don’t change much.” Despite two new starters this season, Black said the line has successfully established continuity. “We’ve been working with each other since January, through spring, and in fall camp,” Black said. “We all work together and we all mesh together.” Black said going against a talented Tigers defensive line in practice is great preparation for the game. “They’re the best defense in the country,” Black said. “We don’t get a better look than our own defense. When we go against them every week, we can’t do anything but get better.”
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