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October 18, 2010

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!!!   

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

The LSU interior line, of the LSU football team,will hold the answer to victory, for the LSU tigers, against Auburn.
If LSU beats Auburn,the price of Gold goes up.

Anonymous said...

Two game win streak,come on coach Les Miles..Send in the right play, run by the right player..The Bengal Tigers can win this one.

Anonymous said...

The LSU defense coach, will be the most important coach in Alabama Saturday!!

Anonymous said...

"Chavis"is his name,
Defense is his game,
He recruited speed,and more
speed,into this LSU defense teams backfield,and linebacker..The LSU interior defense line, stoped Florida cold.
Lets see what happens?

Anonymous said...

Les Miles is crazy..Why is he starting Jefferson, in the Auburn game?

Anonymous said...

Because Les Miles is dizzy!!

Anonymous said...

The New York Times,said;
LSU head coach Les Miles, is a very nice man,and good college football coach.

Anonymous said...

It worse now...Les Miles,think he is funny,and I think he stink.
Les Miles, is a phony football coach to me..The LSU reporters, seem happy with him,but I do not feel happy with him.
The New York Times writer, said Mile is a good football coach...I do not think so.
Now what?
I hope the LSU football team wins anyway,but I still feel like Les Miles, is bad news.

Anonymous said...

Les Miles is the Knute Rockne of the 21st century.

Anonymous said...

The Auburn head coach looked nervous, to me..I think, that the Auburn coach think, that Auburn has been very lucky to be undefeated..LSU has been lucky, to be undefeated also..Cam Newton is not going to run the football all over the field, on LSU..LSU has the kind of foot speed, that will not allow Newton to run around like that.
I think that all the experts are wrong..LSU win.

Denny said...

I believe if you compared
LSU's offensive numbers
when they have the lead to
when they are tied or trailing,
you will see some very
interesting differences.
The Tigers have answered
swiftly after falling behind
this season butseem to be
complacent when ahead. Could
be the play calling? I don't
feel LSU will be able to protect
a small lead nor will they be
able to build a big one. Their
best chance of winning today
is coming from behind in the
final minutes taking a 4+
point lead.

Anonymous said...

I am worrying about winning at all, now..After seeing LSU miss tackles,and not block good.I am wondering, if this team, can beat the rest of the football team LSU must still play?
Is Cam Newton all that good?

Anonymous said...

Losing is horrible,it almost like dieing...Only you keep breathing, and living.
It is easy to see other team play,winning or losing, does not matter.
But when it your team,that very different.
It matters,because it your kids,or men, feeling the pain.
Good luck tigers, in the rest of your games.

Anonymous said...

I hate Les Miles,he can't coach..Free LSU, from that Man!

Anonymous said...

What happened, to the LSU line...Can't block,or tackle..What in the world!

Anonymous said...

Mosley every one, said that Les Miles is a great recruiter..Coach Miles recruited the lineman on both sides of the Auburn game..Auburn had the best lineman.
Not looking at the QB!
Where is the beef?
Show us the Money!!

Anonymous said...

LSU has good football players,but Les Miles, does not know how to coach they..Or tell them where to go.
Auburn, has a good head coach, that can coach..As long as Les Miles coaches LSU..LSU will be second best.
Who is the biggest fool,Him or us?
He has the money,and said he does not care, how we feel.
So I guess, I answered my own question..We are the fool!!

Anonymous said...

We know the truth now.Les Miles is not good enough.The LSU football team, is not good enough.A very bitter pill.

Anonymous said...

Chirp... chirp... chirp...

Crickets...

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