King Tiger: LSU vs. Auburn

LSU and Auburn are both 7-0 heading into this Saturday's game.  The winner of this game will still have to play Alabama but, can start looking forward to a real chance at the BCS National Championship game.  This is a big game!


LSU and Auburn have so far played only one common opponent: Mississippi State.  Mississippi State has only lost two games:  a 17-14 loss to Auburn and a 29-7 loss to LSU.  


Other than Mississippi State, LSU has handed West Virginia it's only loss this season, beat a North Carolina team that has only one other loss, and beat a Florida team that has lost only to Alabama, LSU, and Mississippi State. Other than Mississippi State, Auburn has beaten a South Carolina team that only has one other loss this year and Arkansas, whose only other loss has been to Alabama.


LSU has won four of their seven games by a touchdown or less: North Carolina 30-24, West Virginia 20-14, Tennessee 16-14, and Florida 33-29.  All but one of LSU's close wins were against ranked opponents. Tennessee was not ranked.  Three of Auburn's seven games have been won by a field goal:  Miss. State 17-14, Clemson 27-24 in overtime, and Kentucky 37-34.  None of Auburn's close wins were against ranked opponents. 


Last year LSU beat Auburn 31-10.  Jordan Jefferson threw for 242 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another touchdown in that game.  Russell Shepard had a 69 yard touchdown run and Terrance Toliver had 9 catches for 86 yards and one touchdown.  LSU will have these three players playing Saturday as well as a much improved offensive line and a much better running attack.  Auburn's defense is largely unchanged from last year.  Still, you can't make predictions on a game this year based on last year's results. One difference is that last year's game was in Death Valley at night where LSU rarely loses.  


Another big difference is Auburn quarterback Cameron Newton.  Just when LSU thought that they would never have to face a superman like Tim Tebow again, up steps Cameron Newton.  Newton has completed 65.6% of the passes he has attempted for a total of 1278 yards.  While Newton's favorite target, Darvin Adams, has 419 receiving yards, there are 6 other Auburn players with more 50 yards receiving this year. Five Auburn players have at least 2 touchdown receptions this year. And while LSU's Stevan Ridley is the leading rusher among SEC running backs with 686 yards, Cameron Newton has 860 rushing yards this year.  Auburn true freshman Michael Dyer is Auburn's second leading rusher with 443 yards and Onterio McCaleb is Auburn's third leading rusher with 374 yards.  Mario Fanin has also contributed 224 yards.


To be fair Auburn has not played any defenses the caliber of LSU's defense.  And certainly Auburn's games against Arkansas State and ULM managed to pad their totals.  Auburn scored a combined 104 points against these two schools. To be fair Auburn scored 35 points against South Carolina and 65 points against Arkansas.  Auburn seems to have no trouble scoring.  Maybe LSU can change that as Mississippi State seemed to be able to do earlier this year.  Might be a good idea to have two guys tackle Cameron Newton every down or at least have that as their number one goal.  Newton is a big guy, 6'6" 250lbs., that seems to enjoy contact.


Auburn has a very solid all around team at every position but the only position that I think they have an advantage over LSU is quarterback.  Even with that admission, LSU has a much better defensive line than Mississippi State.  LSU will bring the fastest defensive line that Auburn has seen all year.  The outcome of this game will like be determined by Newton versus LSU's defense.  Now that I have said that it will almost certainly be a kicking match between Auburn's Wes Byrum and LSU's Josh Jasper.


I think the LSU Tigers should lay claim to the title of "King Tiger" with a win over the Auburn Tigers but I am not a betting man and you should not bet on this one either.  What I would like to see is for LSU to make this the first statement game of the season.  Although LSU has played one of the tougher schedules this year, they have earned very little respect nationally.  All of us who have watched the LSU Tigers play each week have seen the potential of a team that can dominate any team in the country and have been frustrated almost all year by a team that is winning but not dominating on all fronts.  LSU defense - lead and play with your heart and play smart - like you have been almost all year.  LSU offense - let's put it all together - no turn overs - no stupid penalties - and no three and outs.  LSU special teams - no mistakes - find that magic that has shown up here and there all season.  LSU has the personnel and ability to whip any team in the country but it is time to man up and start playing like it.  Geaux Tigers!!!