ATLANTA -- LSU hit the field at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Tuesday for a Christmas Eve practice session, without its top running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
The Tigers' leading rusher, with 1,290 yards and 16 touchdowns, wasn’t on the field during the portion of practice that was open to the media. But that doesn’t necessarily mean the junior, who has tallied 50 catches for 399 yards and a score this season, won’t be available for Saturday’s College Football Playoff Semifinal matchup with No. 4 Oklahoma.
Prior to the practice, LSU offensive coordinator Steve Ensminger said he believed Edwards-Helaire would be on the field for Saturday’s 3 p.m. CST kickoff.
“That's my opinion,” he said. “Coach O and Jack (Marucci) don't confer with me that much, but I think Clyde will be there.”
Ensminger however added that if Edwards-Helaire doesn’t play that he’s confident in the Tigers' freshmen running backs.
“Ty Davis is a bull runner. John Emery can make people miss in space. Chris Curry, I think Chris Curry runs the ball hard,” Ensminger said. “You saw him at the end of the game last week or two weeks ago, he runs the ball hard. He's very secure with the ball.
“I have no problems with our backs if Clyde's not there. But I truly expect him to be there.”
Oklahoma head coach Lincoln Riley said his staff has had a chance to look at LSU’s freshmen backs. And said ”it doesn't look like a huge drop-off when the other ones are around.”
“They've obviously recruited well,” he said. “They've got some depth. That's key at this point. At this point of the year, you're going to have guys get banged up. You're going to have things happen. And a lot of times, the four teams that are here are here because, yeah, your first 11 are pretty good. But most of the times, we've got some quality depth behind and we're able to, when a great player's out for whatever reason, you're able to plug the leak and kind of keep on churning.”
Sooners defensive coordinator Alex Grinch said he expects LSU to run their scheme regardless of who’s in at running back.
“Obviously, they have a weapon in the backfield that does a great job in the run game, runs downhill. He's quick. He's a weapon in the pass game as well…,” Grinch said. “So I can't speak for them in terms of the impact, but certainly you see other numbers on film doing similar roles that way. So I don't think that their scheme will change much based on availability that way.”
Grinch said the Sooners' defensive game plan won’t change either as the Tigers’ offense, which features a Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback in Joe Burrow, is more than just its running back.
“It's an elite group,” Grinch said. “I think, obviously, tremendous skill. I think, certainly, the best offensive line. I think they were named the best offensive line in the country. The quarterback is the Heisman Trophy winner. The receiver is a Biletnikoff Award winner.
“So, obviously, couldn't have any more respect for an opponent that way. How they attack you, their coaching staff does a tremendous job. So it will be certainly a challenge for us.”