Alley Broussard is in the doghouse. Or he isn't. Justin Vincent is struggling. Or he isn't. Charles Scott is the new starter. Or he isn't.

Whatever the case, LSU coach Les Miles isn't doing much to shed any light on LSU's tailback situation after Broussard spent the entire Tulane game on the sidelines, Vincent carried only twice and Scott played like a starter with 101 yards on 15 carries.

Through three games Scott leads LSU with 187 yards, 7.8 yards per carry and three touchdowns, while Broussard has run for 92 yards, two touchdowns and 3.5 yards per carry and Vincent has rushed for 74 yards and 3.1 yards per carry.

"It's tough to get a number of guys snaps," Miles said. "Charles Scott having the hot hand probably shorted the opportunities for Alley. We just expect Alley to be ready, and when he is ready, he'll play."

LSU sideline reporter Jordy Hultberg said during the LSU Sports Radio Network broadcast of the Tulane game that the coaching staff was unhappy with Broussard's weight. Broussard is 10-15 pounds overweight after leading the Tigers in rushing in 2004 and missing the 2005 season with a knee injury.

Miles, however, denied that Broussard is in the doghouse.

"We're not sending any message (to Vincent and Broussard), we're looking for the best tailback, the guy with the hot hand," Miles said. "We're not certain that 22 (Broussard) or 18 (junior Jacob Hester) or 25 (Vincent), whoever that guy might be, including 32 (Scott), might still well emerge as the bell cow at that position."

Pushed to clarify his stance on Broussard, Miles said, I'd like to tell you more but ... he's not overweight. I mean he is overweight, but that's not the reason. He's not in the doghouse."

It's tough to say where Broussard or Vincent will be when No. 9 LSU (3-1, 0-1 SEC) plays host to Mississippi State on Saturday. Even the starter remains a mystery despite Scott's performance against Tulane.

The only thing certain about the backfield is that fullback/tailback Jacob Hester will continue to play an important role as a blocker, runner and receiver for the Tigers. Hester has run for 91 yards, three touchdowns and 4.0 yards per carry and has caught 12 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown. Hester leads LSU in multi-purpose yards with 151 yards.

"Jacob Hester is having a great year," Miles said. "Some of the times it doesn't reflect in his statistical carries. Charles Scott had 100 yards, really, right behind the blocking of Jacob Hester. Just recognize that he is very important to our offense."

   SCOUTING THE OFFENSE: The running game bounced back last week after a poor game against Auburn, producing 172 yards with some much-needed spark from freshman TB Charles Scott. Still, LSU once again looked like a team willing to use the pass to set up the run, with QB JaMarcus Russell completing 17 of 23 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns without an interception and offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher spreading the runs around to several different players in a variety of ways.

   SCOUTING THE DEFENSE: LSU jumped all over Tulane from the start last week, allowing only 231 total yards, forcing three turnovers and recording four sacks. Through four games, LSU remains No. 1 in the nation in scoring defense (5.0 points per game) and pass efficiency defense, as well as No. 2 in both total defense (185.3 yards per game) and passing defense (102.3 yards per game). LSU is also tied for second with eight interceptions and leads the SEC with 14 sacks.

   QUOTE TO NOTE: "I am somewhat concerned about an early start. We're kind of used to playing a game that starts at around 7 o'clock, and I want to make sure that our guys are up and running to start that morning. I enjoy these fast starts. I think that's how our team is meant to play. I want to make sure that the cobwebs are out early in the morning and that they're ready to go." -- LSU coach Les Miles on playing Mississippi State at 11:30 a.m.

   THIS WEEK'S GAME: Mississippi State at LSU, Sept. 30 -- If Mississippi State can't score against South Carolina, Auburn or even UAB, how will the Bulldogs manage any points against the nation's top-rated scoring defense? Still, LSU needs to do more than win in this game. This is a chance for the Tigers to give their running game another chance and see if they can improve up front and find a go-to back.

   PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB JaMarcus Russell -- He did make some mistakes and poor decisions late in the Auburn game, but he's also showing a lot of improvement. Through four games he ranks second in the SEC in passing efficiency, completing 66.3 percent of his passes with seven TDs and one INT.

   TB Charles Scott -- With veterans Alley Broussard and Justin Vincent struggling to get the job done, Scott, a true freshman, got his chance last week and ran for 101 yards and two TDs on 15 carries.

WR Early Doucet -- Doucet showed his versatility as a playmaker last week, with 75 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns on six touches. He ran for a 17-yard touchdown on a reverse and caught touchdown passes of 12 and 4 yards.

LB Darry Beckwith -- Beckwith leads the nation's top-ranked scoring defense with 6.8 tackles per game.

   ROSTER REPORT: OG Brian Johnson is expected to return this week after missing the Tulane game with a toe injury, giving LSU a full roster of players for the first time this season.