LSU Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers Complete Game Preview
LSU's tilt against Auburn on Saturday is proof of how quickly things can change in the SEC.
Last season, the Bayou Bengals defeated the Tigers from the Plains 35-21 behind 184 yards and three touchdowns from running back Jeremy Hill. LSU looked as if it would be a national championship contender, not Auburn.
The opposite ended up being true.
Auburn went on a magical unbeaten run to the last BCS National Championship. LSU would lose three games, all to teams Auburn beat along the way.
This season, Auburn looks like a College Football Playoff contender. Head coach Gus Malzahn and his Tigers are 4-0 with a conference win over Arkansas under their belt.
LSU has looked average, despite being 3-1. Head coach Les Miles' squad played poorly in its only SEC game against Mississippi State.
Here is a preview of this week's matchup.
What You Need to Know
Time: 6 p.m. CT
Place: Jordan-Hare Stadium; Auburn, Alabama
TV: ESPN
Spread: Auburn by 9; via Odds Shark
LSU's Keys to Victory
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Take Chances
Miles made the right call to name Brandon Harris his starting quarterback at his weekly Monday press conference. And he's sure about the decision, per Tiger Rag's Robert Stewart:
"That's it for Les. ICYMI: Brandon Harris will start against Auburn. Miles gives no doubt about that.
— Robert Stewart (@TigerRagRobert) September 29, 2014"
Harris has outperformed sophomore Anthony Jennings in the past two weeks. This will be his first career start, which unfortunately happens to be on the road in the SEC.
Offensive coordinator Cam Cameron will give Harris some easy throws to get him in rhythm early in the game. But Cameron should also give his young quarterback ample opportunities to chuck the ball downfield to receivers Travin Dural and Malachi Dupre.
Stop the Run
The No. 1 objective for LSU is to stop the run. If the Tigers cannot do that, they have no chance.
LSU allowed 570 combined rushing yards against Wisconsin and Mississippi State, the only two power-five conference teams it has played. Auburn will see those numbers and salivate.
Malzahn's rushing offense is averaging 260 yards per game, which is fourth in the SEC. Auburn rushed for 302 yards in its only SEC game against Arkansas, which is the exact total the Bulldogs tallied against LSU.
LSU's defensive tackles are thin in numbers, which could be a major issue against Auburn's fast-paced offense.
Auburn's Keys to Victory
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Limit Turnovers
Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall committed three turnovers against LSU last season, two of which were interceptions. Marshall has only thrown three interceptions in the Tigers' 14 games since then.
Marshall cannot make similar mistakes against LSU if he wants to be victorious. Auburn should feel comfortable moving the ball on the ground against the Tigers, so he should not force himself to make plays that are not there.
Play Sound Defense
Tackle. Tackle. Tackle.
Auburn missed far too many tackles against LSU last season. Now that Jeremy Hill is no longer in LSU's backfield, the task should be easier.
The secondary looks improved from last season, as it has seven interceptions and three touchdowns allowed through the air. But it has not faced a duo as talented as Dural and Dupre, as they have nine combined touchdown receptions.
If Auburn prevents the big plays on offense, it should be in good position to win the game.
LSU Players to Watch
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Leonard Fournette
LSU running back Leonard Fournette moved ahead of Kenny Hilliard last week as the team's leading rusher. But now is the time for Fournette to prove why he was the highest-rated recruit Miles has ever had.
Most of Fournette's yards have been gained running over inferior competition. The 5-star recruit only managed 56 yards on 15 carries against Mississippi State and Wisconsin combined.
Auburn's run defense is stout, and LSU's offensive line has struggled. Fournette must rise above both those obstacles and make the critical plays necessary to help his team.
Jermauria Rasco and Danielle Hunter
The key to stopping Auburn is having athletic yet disciplined defensive ends. Jermauria Rasco and Danielle Hunter both fit the mold.
Auburn's zone-read rushing plays usually require Marshall to read the actions of the defensive ends. Rasco and Hunter will be given plenty of different looks, so they must be prepared for the challenge that lies ahead.
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Auburn Players to Watch
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D'haquille Williams
Auburn's talented receiving corps features Quan Bray, Melvin Ray, Ricardo Louis and Sammie Coates. But none of them have the raw ability of D'haquille Williams.
Bray, Ray, Louis and Coates have combined for 24 receptions. Williams has 23 on his own, to go along with 357 yards and three touchdowns.
Williams is a junior college transfer who was once a LSU commit. He uses his 6'2'' frame to muscle away passes from defensive backs.
LSU had issues defending large Mississippi State receiver De'Runnya Wilson. The Tigers' talented secondary will certainly be challenged by Williams in the same capacity, especially when in man coverage.
Montravius Adams
Auburn defensive tackle Montravius Adams wears the same jersey number as Williams, but he has a completely different role. The one thing they do have in common is immense playmaking ability.
Adams' 6'4'', 306-pound frame is tough to move, but his quickness is what sets him apart. The sophomore's five tackles for loss are more than the LSU defensive tackles combined. He also has a fumble recovery and an interception, which he returned for 36 yards.
LSU's offensive line struggled against Mississippi State's talented front in Tiger Stadium. It will only be tougher against Adams and the Auburn front in Jordan-Hare Stadium. If the O-line can't stalemate Adams, Miles' power-rushing attack will be stifled.
What They Are Saying
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Miles officially named Harris the starter for Saturday's game but said he will still need the services of Jennings. He raved about the true freshman's playmaking ability at his weekly press conference, per Jim Kleinpeter of The Times-Picayune:
"Really he just did the things that we asked him to do, and that's honestly all he needs to do, make quality decisions with the ball, function the offense. He took a missnap, a bad snap, and scored. There is some 'ad‑lib' to his game that's very, very positive, and he's a guy that is really fast and a guy that can really throw the ball. You put him in a quality position to extend a play, some good things can happen.
"
Miles also commented on Malzahn's versatile offense, per Kleinpeter:
"They throw the ball in a position to keep you spread and off the formation, and they run the football with the zone read or a gifted hand-off where they have things blocked. That, frankly, challenges the defense to play the run and the pass at the same time. I think it will be a match-up that certainly will be challenging but one that we will look forward to.
"
Malzahn said Harris has an "NFL arm" and that he wanted him at Auburn, per Brandon Marcello of AL.com: "The unique thing is we recruited him, so we know he's very talented. We know a lot about him. ... What he's done this year is very impressive. ... He's a definite factor, so we'll have a plan against him."
Malzahn said he is not concerned about other teams figuring out Auburn's offensive signals, per Marcello: "I'll tell you this, I believe we have a full-proof system. We have the colors and the signals and all that. ... I couldn't tell you what half of them mean, as long as I call the plays right."
Prediction
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Last season, LSU was a 17-point favorite heading into the game. This season, Auburn heads in as a two-possession favorite.
Once again, what a difference a year makes.
LSU has some momentum with Harris running the show. Cameron does have a slight advantage of not having called a full game with the freshman under center. Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson must have his players prepared for whatever is thrown at them.
Auburn has arguably the best set of skill-position players in the SEC. The running back duo of Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant should be ecstatic for this matchup against a porous LSU run defense.
LSU's run defense is just one of the many question marks heading into this game. Miles' offensive line was mediocre on the road last season. The unit, which returned four starters, has played average this season. If it does not step up against Auburn, LSU will get crushed.
Auburn has the more complete team and home-field advantage. Malzahn will avenge last season's loss with a statement win.
Score: Auburn 38, LSU 21
Stats, rankings and additional information provided by CFBStats.com and LSU Sports Information. Recruiting information provided by 247Sports. Quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
Follow me on Twitter @CarterthePower.
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