LSU’s running game has been stuck in the mud lately. They need a good push to get untracked, and their matchup with New Mexico State needs to be the the shove to get their season moving in the right direction.

A veteran-heavy unit was supposed to be one of the best of Les Miles’ tenure in Baton Rouge. Instead, they’ve had a hard time opening up holes, and the running back corps of Kenny Hilliard, Darrel Williams, Leonard Fournette and Terrence Magee hasn’t shown the patience necessary to wait for those holes to develop. As a result, LSU’s per-carry average has dropped in each of the past three games, down to a paltry 2.5 yards a pop against Mississippi State.

Part of that is a bit of inconsistency with the players on the O-line. Elliott Porter came back from suspension against Louisiana-Monroe, and did not play up to the standards of a Rimington Award watch list center. Ethan Pocic, the man who started in Porter’s place for two games, got some playing time at right guard against Mississippi State.

New Mexico State could be in for it against LSU. The Tigers might be struggling on the ground, but the Aggies are even worse at stopping it. We’re talking No. 126 in the nation-bad (there are 128 FBS teams). The entire LSU team will be fired up after watching their fans stream out of the stands a week ago, and they should take out their frustrations on NMSU.

The Aggies do have some standouts up front. Senior lineman Jay Eakins has a nose for the ball, leading the team in tackles for loss with 2.5, while young linebackers Noah Brown and Derek Ibekwe are right behind him at 2.0 each. Still, the size alone that LSU has on the line should be enough to get the ground game untracked against the Aggies.

If not, the Tigers offense is in more trouble than anyone thought.