LSU sophomore offensive lineman Maea Teuhema had no clue which position he would start at on Saturday.
Not many of LSU’s linemen have changed throughout the previous two weeks, but LSU coach Ed Orgeron’s confirmed lineup changes may happen for LSU’s 6:30 p.m. kickoff against Southern Miss Saturday.
Teuhema has played at three different spots on LSU’s offensive line — right guard, left guard and right tackle — because of a slew of injuries to regular starters. Eight offensive linemen have played for LSU, and the Tigers have experimented three different starting lineups through five games this season.
The lack of consistency with practicing a certain position can be disconcerting for some, but not Teuhema.
“It’s not weird,” Teuhema said. “Our whole O-line is really close, actually. Whoever’s beside you, you’re comfortable because you’re always around them.”
The difference between playing tackle and guard is only a matter of space, he said. Playing tackle requires more “mobility,” whereas being a guard is in the “center” of everything.
Offensive line coach Jeff Grimes has prepped his offensive lineman to learn every position along the line, Teuhema said.
When LSU meets Southern Miss, it will trot out its fourth different starting lineup this season.
Junior Andy Dodd will start at center because of LSU’s reshuffling after injuries to sophomore offensive guard Will Clapp (shoulder) and sophomore right tackle Toby Weathersby (ankle) will likely leave these players out for “a while,” according to Orgeron.
The last time senior center Ethan Pocic started a game at tackle was in high school, but he said he doesn’t have a problem with playing right tackle on Saturday.
“I like it,” Pocic said. “It helps you get more rounded as a player. We just have a lot of injuries right now … Andy’s a great player, so if something happens and they need to bring Andy in, I’m more than fine doing that.”
After standing and watching from the sideline the past three years, Dodd said he feels prepared to fill Pocic’s shoes. The Lindale, Georgia, native, who is “good friends” with Pocic, was in line to start last week, but his first start was put on hold because of the Florida game’s postponement.
“It’s disappointing,” Dodd said. “But that was a natural disaster. All we can do is prepare to play. Hopefully we can move on this week.”
A noteable difference for the LSU huddle is that Dodd said he might not be as loud as Pocic. When Dodd first arrived at LSU, he said it took him some time to open up and become more vocal.
Even with a lack of game experience together, Dodd doesn’t feel any added pressure for this weekend.
“I think they all trust me, so I don’t feel any extra pressure,” Dodd said. “They know I know what I’m doing. We’re all on the same page.”
Sophomore offensive guard Garrett Brumfield said he has been practicing at both guard positions and was seen rotating back and forth with the first-team offense during open practice.
Despite the restructuring of the offensive line, their goal is simply to play physically.
“At the end of the day it’s football — we’re trying to come off the ball on the line of scrimmage,” Brumfield said.