LSU-Auburn's Most Valuable Player: Clyde Edwards-Helaire

LSU quarterback Joe Burrow is now favored to win the Heisman, and, barring a major setback for the senior, he probably will. After nine weeks, he leads the nation in completion percentage and ranks in the top three of all other major passing categories, and, impressively, he now has three wins against top-ten opponents. Even better for Burrow, Jalen Hurts' Oklahoma squad was just upset by Kansas State, and Tua Tagovailoa has missed time with an ankle injury.

But, in Death Valley this past Saturday, running back Clyde Edwards-Helaire was far and away LSU's most valuable player. As LSU clawed to a 23-20 victory against no. 9 Auburn, Edwards-Helaire was, at many points, the only source of offense for an otherwise prolific LSU unit. While Burrow threw for just one touchdown en route to a season-low 143.5 passer rating, the junior ran for 136 yards, his season-high, to complement a pivotal rushing touchdown in the second half.

With five minutes and 46 seconds left in the third quarter, the LSU offense took the field down 13-10. The Tigers hadn't led since the second quarter, and the offense looked anemic in the time since. Since a Joe Burrow touchdown pass early in the first half, the LSU offense had managed to get stuffed on fourth down, kick a field goal, punt, get stuffed on fourth down again, and throw an interception. For an offense averaging 50 points a game coming into week nine, this was an unusually poor showing.

But, apparently, Clyde Edwards-Helaire decided to take matters into his own hands at the end of the third quarter. Starting at Auburn's 45, LSU's offense ran four plays. Edwards-Helaire ran four times for 45 yards and a touchdown. For a pass-heavy offense reliant on a strong core of wide receivers and a Heisman-caliber quarterback, this was a rare showing of smash-mouth, old school football. Edwards-Helaire ended the game with 26 carries, nearly doubling his season-high.

But statistically, Edwards-Helaire has been anything but the most valuable running back this season. The junior is currently 39th in yards with 683, 44th in yards per game with 85.4, tied for 23rd in touchdowns with eight, and 31st in yards per carry with 5.94. That said, LSU's offense hasn't been built around the run game. While ranked second in passing offense and third in total offense, LSU has the 76th ranked rushing offense in the country. Given Edwards-Helaire's limited role, his statistics are pretty impressive.

The threat of an exceptional runner has the added benefit of opening up the passing game for Burrow. If a defense wants to stack the box to prevent the run, Burrow and his complement of receivers will gouge a limited secondary. Drop more in coverage and Edwards-Helaire (and even Burrow) is capable of punishing any defense. Though LSU's offense struggled for the majority of the game, Burrow still passed for 321 yards thanks in large part to Edwards-Helaire's contributions on the ground. Though he doesn't have the most eye-catching statistics, importantly, he has shown the ability to provide a strong rushing attack when the passing game is limited.

Looking forward, the Tigers still play one of the nation's best teams in Alabama. Knowing Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide will likely have a counter to Joe Burrow and the passing attack. If LSU is to continue to win games, Edwards-Helaire will be key. The running back is unlikely to win any accolades after the season is over. There are plenty of running backs with flashier statistics and more media coverage playing in more run-friendly offenses. But if LSU continues winning, the 5'8" running back deserves as much praise as anyone.