Auburn vs LSU: Report Card Grades for the Tigers

The Bayou Bengals flexed their muscle for four quarters, dominating Auburn 45-10.

Auburn's Cam Newton ran wild one season ago, but he was nowhere to be found in the building being the starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers.

Even if Michael Dyer had him as his signal caller I am not sure Auburn would have had any chance either. LSU's defense was relentless all game and the offensive line put on a clinic.

I hand out my report grades and discuss that somewhat important game LSU has in two weeks.

Offense

This might be the best balanced team in America as LSU nearly ran for 200 yards and they threw for 219 yards. Jordan Jefferson once again received some playing time in the blowout victory throwing three passes (2 completions) for 54 yards and a touchdown along with four carries.

However, Jarrett Lee proved to be the great starter going 14-for-20 with 165 yards and 2 touchdowns (Great touch to Randle). No interceptions was the most important stat because this offense is nearly unstoppable right now.

No Spencer Ware? No problem!

Michael Ford and Kenny Hilliard ran roughshod on the 87th rated Auburn combining to rush for 174 yards with the rest of the Bayou Bengals.

It is amazing how much push the offensive line can get on opposing front fours. Are they the best offensive line in the nation? 

In my eyes they have proven that all season as it has been 4.5 yards and a cloud of dust. The offense is never put in a difficult position because they never commit dumb penalties or force ill-advised throws. Maybe the runs are not going 40 yards like Oregon goes off every ten plays, but LSU is as consistent of a football team as there is. 

As long as they keep churning along, I am not sold any time can stop their rushing attack (maybe Bama included).

Grade: A

Defense & Special Teams

This defense, I swear gets better every single game. They rotate nearly a dozen different linemen every three plays (Just like Bama) which allows the linebackers to just tee off on opposing running backs. 

Karnell Hatcher, Ryan Baker, Kevin Minter, Stefoin Francis among a few others have really developed as one of the more underrated units in the nation.

Going in the year they were easily the worst unit on the team arguably, but yet they are standing tall thanks in large part to a defense that plays like young men possessed. 

They are an unmovable object and did I mention they played without their best player?

Tyrann Mathieu along with another stud defensive back, Tharold Simon were suspended this past week and they both did not play (Expected back for Bama). Ron Brooks filled in and played like the highly touted player he is with a pick six of his own.

Lastly, is there a weakness on this LSU team and if so, what? It would help to run the ball on LSU to open their defense up a bit and challenge their ball hawking secondary. But seriously, is it possible for this defense to falter?

Defense & Special Teams Continued

The defense clamped down sacking Clint Moseley six times with five different players coming up big (Minko two sacks).

I wish I could strap on a helmet for John Chavis' defense because they are just swallowing up any player that attempts to cross the line of scrimmage. 

I seriously was wondering whether or not Auburn was the same team I saw against Utah State, but then I realized after they beat South Carolina and Florida that maybe these Tigers from Baton Rouge are just the best in the game?

The special teams continues to play like the best in America whether it is Drew Alleman, punt/kick returners or coverage's laying the lumber and playing out of its mind.

With a bye week coming up, all of my questions have been answered through eight weeks. In fact, it is LSU's first 8-0 start since 1973!

Grade: A+

Is LSU Invincible?

Remember now, LSU has won two BCS National Championships ('03-'04, '07-'08) and yet there are whispers as if this might be the most talented bunch?

I must say that they are much beyond just passing the eye ball test. LSU was originally slated as six point underdogs against Alabama (Per Vegas last week), but are they really six points worse even on the road against Alabama?

I will watch the Crimson Tide closely against Tennessee, but right now the momentum has been at an all-time sky high for LSU.

Both teams will be idle next weekend, so who gets the edge? I took Alabama as my most talented team in America heading into the season since I ranked them number one, but I had LSU third, so what gives?

LSU was expected to have major issues with their offense due to not having a so called All-American. That is a bunch of bogus since this LSU rushing attack looks a whole lot like a NFL caliber team.

Let's just assume the Tide comes away with a victory against Tennessee tonight. We may be looking at not only the game of the season, but arguably the most anticipated game in the entire history of the BCS for a regular season game when the two powerhouses meet in two weeks in Tuscaloosa.

So, who do you got and why?

Drama's Way Too Early Lean: LSU 28, Alabama 27