College Football Game Of The Week: LSU-Auburn

With the competition among the SEC teams as fierce as it is, it is never too early to mark a game as a crucial one.  This is especially true when it comes to LSU-Auburn. 

The winner of this game has represented the West in the SEC championship game in six of the past eight years. 

This game is almost always a hard-fought battle. Since back-to-back 31-7 beatdowns by the home team in 2002 and 2003, each game has been decided by six points or less.

Here's a warning to all media members, readers, and LSU fans: Do not be fooled by Auburn's 3-2 victory over Mississippi State. 

Sure, Auburn should have scored more points against the Bulldogs.  They missed two field goals and lost three fumbles.  I don't expect that against LSU.

Despite a few shortcomings against less-heralded teams, Tuberville has a way of getting his team ready for the big games.

There is always a tremendous amount of passion among fans and players alike when this game is played.  This may not be traditional rivalry like the Iron Bowl, but there is a lot of bad blood involved. 

As we approach the 2008 edition of this rivalry, both teams have questions offensively. 

For LSU, the questions fall squarely on the inexperience at the quarterback position.  Andrew Hatch enters this weekend's game as the starter, but redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee and true freshman Jordan Jefferson have seen some action. 

While it is likely that only Hatch and Lee get snaps against Auburn, it is not out of the question that Jefferson will get some playing time.

As far as Auburn goes, Chris Todd is their best option at quarterback.  So far, he has been a mediocre passer and a sitting duck in the pocket. 

Unfortunately, Kodi Burns was less effective in running the offense.

Offensively, the key for both teams may be their playmakers.  In this area, LSU seems to have a clear advantage. 

LSU boasts a four-deep running back stable, which features Charles Scott as its primary ball carrier.  Scott has four of the team's six rushing touchdowns and averages 11.4 yards per carry. 

At receiver, the LSU Tigers have Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd as their starters.  LaFell leads the team in receptions, yards, yards per catch, and touchdowns. 

But while LaFell did not have a good game against Auburn last year, Byrd surely did.

Byrd had 89 yards and a touchdown against Auburn last year.  The touchdown reception was one of the more memorable plays in all of college football in 2007.  Byrd caught a game-winning pass from Matt Flynn as a time expired.

Auburn boasts two playmakers in the backfield.  Brad Lester sprained his neck against Mississippi State and his status is uncertain. 

It is expected that Ben Tate will get the vast majority of the carries for Auburn.  Tate is averaging 5.8 yards per carry on 48 attempts and has a touchdown. 

In a physical game, Lester's absence may have a significant impact on the running back depth.

Receiving-wise, Todd will be looking for Rodgerigus Smith to move the chains and Montez Billings to make big plays down the field, though neither has a touchdown in three games.

As usual, the defenses are the strengths of these two teams. 

While LSU has allowed just eight points per game, Auburn is better allowing just a measly five points per game. 

Both teams are in the top ten in the country in rushing yards allowed and are strong up front.

LSU and Auburn have to hold their breaths when they have to punt.  LSU's punter, Brady Dalfrey, has averaged just 29 yards per punt.  He will be punting in the direction of Robert Dunn, who has a return for a score.

While Auburn's Clinton Durst has been much better than Dalfrey, he is going to have to avoid punting to Trindon Holliday.  The fastest man in college football is averaging an absurd 41 yards per punt return, including a 91-yard touchdown against North Texas.

Prediction time

I have bounced back and forth on this one.  The only thing that I am confident in is that this will be a low-scoring game.  If you would have asked me before the season began, I would have told you that Auburn was going to win by about five or six points.  Now, I am not so sure.

While LSU's offense has taken a step back with the quarterback situation, Auburn's offense has struggled after a reportedly strong off-season.

Field position, turnovers, and untimely penalties will be key in this game. 

LSU needs to hope that Charles Scott goes off for 100 or so yards.  Auburn's fate lies in the possibility that's its re-tooled offense finds its way.  I'm guessing that the former is more likely to happen.

LSU, 9-6