Auburn vs. LSU: 5 Keys to Watch During Weekend's Biggest Game

Over the last 10 years, no two schools in the SEC West have had more success than LSU and Auburn. This series is highlighted by passionate fans, hard hits and high stakes. 

LSU has won six of the last 10 in this matchup, which often determines who goes to Atlanta.

Last season, Auburn survived a close game against LSU on the way to a national championship. This year, LSU has its own championship aspirations. 

One thing's for sure: When Tigers meet Tigers, you want to be watching.

So, let's look at five keys to watch in Saturday's Auburn vs. LSU matchup. 

Starting Quarterback Play

For Auburn, Clint Moseley will get his first start as a college quarterback.

Moseley played in the second half against Florida, going 4-for-7 with 90 yards passing. Auburn’s offense scored 10 points in the fourth quarter under Moseley’s direction, putting away the Gators for good.

Moseley will hope to fare better than Barrett Trotter, who completed only eight passes in his final two games before losing his starting job.

Starting Quarterback Play

Jarrett Lee has been a surprise with his very efficient play this season. In nailing down his starting job, he has thrown 10 touchdowns to just one interception.

In its two losses this season, Auburn has given up a combined 648 passing yards with six touchdowns and no interceptions.

Lee doesn’t necessarily need to put up numbers like that, but opportunities should be there against this Auburn secondary. 

Wildcat Options

When your wildcat quarterback has close to 30 career starts, you know you have a potential X-factor.

Jordan Jefferson possesses the ability to change a game in a limited number of plays. He’s been very effective running the ball in the three games this season but is capable of throwing it when given the opportunity.

Therein lies a potential problem.

If Jefferson becomes more than a change of pace at any point, what effect will it have on Lee?

Jefferson could be the X-factor in a good way or a bad way for a team that was receiving solid quarterback play before his return. 

Wildcat Options

Although Clint Moseley has been named the new starting quarterback, Kiehl Frazier will continue to get playing time.

Frazier has shown himself as much more of a running threat than a passing threat so far this season. Although he’s thrown two interceptions in just six pass attempts, he does have 176 rushing yards and helps open running lanes for the other backs.

We’ll see just how much Frazier plays in Moseley’s first start. 

Turnovers

Auburn quarterbacks have thrown eight interceptions this season, which isn’t a good idea against LSU.

Let Tyrann Mathieu or Mo Claiborne get their hands on one, and it just might go for six.

Gus Malzahn has described Clint Moseley as a bit of a gunslinger. If Auburn has any chance, Moseley will have to protect the football on Saturday.

Turnovers

LSU has held on to the football very well this season. That’s exactly how they will need to play this Saturday.

Turnovers are the best way to keep Auburn in the game.

If the Tigers can play to their running game and defense, they have to like their chances. 

Defensive Line

No team has more ability across the defensive front than LSU, and no one guy has to do it alone.

Bennie Logan, Sam Montgomery and Barkevious Mingo each have at least two sacks, and it’s that depth that makes them so difficult to handle.

This group of stars will look to shut down Michael Dyer and wreak havoc on whichever quarterback is in the game for Auburn. 

Defensive Line

Trying to match the production of the LSU defensive line will be the one-man wrecking crew, Corey Lemonier.

The sophomore defensive end has been the pass rush for Auburn, and it mainly falls on him to disrupt the LSU passing game. Lemonier has six sacks and 10 tackles for loss on the season.

Will someone be able to step up and take pressure off of him?

Gus Malzahn vs. John Chavis

Perhaps no coach is more synonymous with an offense than Auburn's Gus Malzahn. This week, he’ll have to live up to his reputation and his salary.

The Auburn offense hasn’t had the same punch we saw in Malzahn’s first two years on the Plains, and LSU is no remedy for that. John Chavis’s defense is as stifling as any in the country.

Malzahn has worked miracles before, and he’ll have to do it again on Saturday.

If the Auburn offense puts up big points, it will be a direct result of Malzahn outcoaching Chavis.