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Austin Deculus Doubtful Against Ole Miss, Ed Orgeron Talks Alabama Win, Recruiting

LSU to shuffle o-line with right tackle out of the lineup

LSU coach Ed Orgeron was in high spirits for his weekly Monday press conference, as he should've been as he's just 48 hours removed from watching his team beat No. 4 Alabama 46-41.

So what's the Tigers' leading man been up too since Saturday night?

"I went home Saturday, me and Kelly [Orgeron], had a ham sandwich, some chips and watched SportsCenter," Orgeron said. "It was a great night. I can't wait to see the team today, I know they've probably enjoyed the last few days but it's time to get too work."

While the team enjoyed the last 24 hours, as Orgeron has said in the past and repeated Monday, "the next game is the most important," which means Ole Miss has the Tigers undivided attention this week.

Austin Deculus doubtful for Ole Miss game, Tigers mixing up the offensive line

During a high-intensity, physical matchup like Saturday produced, there is likely to be some players that go down. On Monday, Orgeron said outside of right tackle Austin Deculus, the team is as healthy as it's been all season. 

With Deculus likely out, there will be some shuffling of the offensive line for the Ole Miss game. The team will slide Adrian Magee, who had primarily played left guard, to left tackle while Deculus' right tackle spot will be experimented with Badara Traore. As for left guard, Orgeron said Ed Ingram will be moving into a starting role with Deculus out.

Ole Miss, despite its 4-6 record in 2019, has played competitive football all season long, losing to Texas A&M by a touchdown and to Auburn by six points on Nov. 2. 

Fresh off a 41-3 blowout of New Mexico State, Orgeron said the game against No. 1 LSU is one the team circles every year, and will be a tough, hostile environment the Tigers will walk into.

"They put this game on their calendar, this is a game they want to win," Orgeron said. "This is a rivalry game, LSU is the team they'd most liek to beat along with Mississippi State and we know they're going to give their best shot. It's going to be a great crowd, a great challenge for our football team."

Orgeron says recruiting going 'very well' after Alabama win

While Saturday was a night to remember not only for Orgeron but for Tiger fans across the state of Louisiana, Sunday only got better as LSU picked up a commitment from four-star defensive lineman Jacobian Guillory, bringing the 2020 class total to 25.

Orgeron said recruiting is at an all-time sweet spot as players from future classes were blowing up his phone Sunday, expressing their interest and excitement in becoming Tigers.

"Our recruiting is going very well right now, our recruiting staff and supporting staff have done a phenomenal job," Orgeron said. "There's a lot of guys wanting to come to LSU now and we're going to have the best guys coming to LSU."

Orgeron speaks on win over Alabama

Preparation. Mindset. Confidence. 

Those were the three words Orgeron used to describe the difference in the LSU 2019 team that was able to pull off the win over the Crimson Tide after eight straight failed attempts.

"We had it going into the week, we felt we were the better team but we just had to go out and prove it," Orgeron said. "I'm excited for our tema, for LSU, for all of our former players, everyone that has been involved in contributing to LSU, what a great day for the family."

Of all the standout performances Saturday, there was one that hit Orgeron a little differently, saying the effort from junior running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was among the best he's seen in 35 years of coaching.

"The play of Clyde Edwards-Helaire was phenomenal, one of the best efforts I've ever seen in football," Orgeron said. 

For a guy who's been around former great college running backs like Reggie Bush and Warren Sapp, that's saying something. Orgeron said he remembers great performances from guys like Bush and Sapp, but can't recall a performance quite as great as the one he witnessed from Edwards-Helaire Saturday night.

"Unbelievable," Orgeron said. "As far as a dominant game, that's up there with the best of them. He said something after the game, I think it was 'throw your heart on the line and your body will follow.' Phenomenal saying. He's 6-foot-4, 270 when he rushes that football."