LSU Run Game Key to Tigers Upsetting Auburn

LSU will hope it packed its rushing attack when the team travels to Jordan-Hare Stadium to take on SEC-rival Auburn on Saturday (7 p.m. ET on ESPN).

Over the years, LSU has developed a reputation of being able to pound the football on the ground at will. This season has proved no different, as the team has averaged 222.1 rushing yards over five games.

With national title aspirations on the line, LSU will have to do much of the same this weekend.

Auburn won’t make it easy, as the defending SEC champions boast a much-improved run defense. Through four games, the unit ranks No. 14 in the nation against the run (90.8 yards per game) while conceding a meager 2.65 yards per carry.

It is worth noting, however, that Auburn has only faced one formidable rushing attack thus far. And that attack, Arkansas, racked up 153 yards on the ground and was knotted up with Auburn 21-21 at halftime.

Not to mention, Auburn may be without two key members of its front seven in linebackers Cassanova McKinzy (concussion) and Kris Frost (knee), per AL.com’s Joel A. Erickson.

That means LSU should run the ball early and often. After all, the team is 46-0 since 2008 when rushing for 150 yards or more, compared to just 11-14 when failing to reach that mark:

Rushing Total	W-L	Avg. Score
200 yards or more	27-0	39.4-13.3
150-199 yards	19-0	33.9-13.6
100-149 yards	9-4	25.7-20.8
99 yards or less	2-10	18.8-24.7

If ever LSU could use a breakout performance by running back Leonard Fournette, this would be the game.

The true freshman currently leads the team in rushing with 322 yards and four touchdowns on 56 carries. However, in LSU’s only two games against ranked opponents—Wisconsin and Mississippi State—Fournette finished with just 18 and 38 yards, respectively.

Ranked the No. 1 overall prospect in last year’s recruiting class, expectations were high for the New Orleans native. But if Fournette wants us to take his Heisman Trophy hopes seriously, he’s going to have to start living up to that hype sooner rather than later.

After Fournette, seniors Kenny Hilliard (57 CAR, 298 YDS, 4 TDs) and Terrence Magee (34 CAR, 144 YDS, 1 TD) along with true freshman Darrel Williams (33 CAR, 165 YDS, 3 TDs) will carry the load.

“There’s a number of guys,” LSU head coach Les Miles said of his running backs, via Erickson. “I like the way Fournette’s carried himself. I like the way Kenny Hilliard’s carried himself, Terrence Magee, so there’s a lot of guys.”

But running the ball isn’t important simply to put up points. It will also help take some of the pressure off quarterback Brandon Harris.

Athlon Sports editor Steven Lassan appears to agree:

A true freshman, Harris has looked good in limited playing time, throwing for 394 yards, six touchdowns and one interception on 73.3 percent passing while adding another 108 yards and three scores on 16 carries. However, this will be his first appearance in a hostile environment.

If LSU can get the run game going early and convert on third downs, look for momentum to change in its favor quickly. Not only that, but it will also keep Auburn’s high-powered offense off the field.

Team of destiny or not, no offense can beat you when its quarterback is sitting on the sidelines.

All stats, recruiting information and rankings used in this article are courtesy of CFBStats.com and 247Sports.

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