Auburn vs. LSU: 5 Things We Learned About the LSU Tigers Win over War Eagle

The LSU Tigers beat yet another ranked opponent in convincing fashion Saturday when they defeated the Auburn Tigers 45-10 without having all hands on deck.

Heisman candidate Tyrann Mathieu, LSU’s leading rusher Spencer Ware and one of the best cornerbacks who doesn’t get enough publicity, Tharold Simon, were all suspended for the game after violating team rules, but that had no effect on the game whatsoever.

Not only did we learn that LSU could beat a very good team without three quality players, but we also learned that the Tigers might have more depth than any other team in the nation among other things.

I can’t stress enough how impressive LSU looks in every single phase of the game right now. I mean, where are the weaknesses on this team? Could this possibly be the greatest LSU team ever?

After LSU’s decimation over Auburn, these are the five things we learned about the Tigers as they head into the "game of the century" against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

No Ware, No Problem

LSU had that ground-and-pound game working just fine without Spencer Ware, as Alfred Blue, Michael Ford and Kenny Hilliard each did their part in manufacturing some good ol’ smashmouth football.

I had the opportunity to get to see Hilliard play for Patterson in high school, and I knew LSU was getting a future star when they signed him. I’m glad to see Hilliard’s role was increased this week, and he brought that physical running game the team lacked without Ware at tailback.

Blue runs the ball hard, but I think LSU’s best running backs are Ware, Ford and, how can you not say, Hilliard after that performance.

I think Hilliard might have bought himself a few carries against Alabama with that performance against Auburn. I’d really like to see Ware and Hilliard try and “ware” down Alabama’s defense.

Tigers Can Make This 2-Quarterback System Thing Work

I’ll be the first one to tell you that I absolutely hate having two quarterbacks run the offense, but LSU is making this thing work.

Much in the way the 2006 Florida Gators made it work with Tim Tebow and Chris Leak, LSU is finding success playing Jarrett Lee and Jordan Jefferson. I’m still having trust issues with this system, but at this point of Les Miles' career, you have to learn to trust the man.

It seems like every week he puts Jefferson in at the right time, and it has yet to hurt the Tigers. Jefferson has made big plays this year including a 42-yard touchdown pass to Rueben Randle in the game against Auburn.

Whether you love it or not, LSU is proving every week that they can make this two-quarterback system work just fine.

DEPTH IS NOT AN ISSUE

What’s that? LSU is going to have to play the 20th-ranked team in the nation without Mathieu, Ware and Simon? It didn't matter, because apparently LSU has backups for days.

Ron Brooks, who replaced Simon on the opposite side of Mo Claiborne, had an interception, and the absence of Mathieu wasn’t noticeable in the least.

Through the course of the year, LSU has had suspensions and players go down on the offensive line, and LSU hasn’t missed a beat.

You hear week in and week out about how much depth they have and, unfortunately for Auburn, they found out exactly how much depth LSU has first-handed.

Rueben Randle Emerging as One of the Best WRs in the SEC

You want to know how dominant of a first half Rueben Randle had? He outgained Auburn in total offense 106 to 103.

Randle is becoming a focal point of the offense, and has proved time and time again that he will burn the defense with his crisp route-running.

Against Auburn, Randle had a 42-yard reception from Jefferson and followed it up with a 46-yard touchdown from Lee. Another brilliant performance from the standout wideout from Bastrop.

Best LSU Team I’ve Ever Seen

This is as bold as it gets, but I think this is the greatest LSU team these eyes have ever seen. Now granted I wasn’t alive for the 1958 team led by Heisman-winner Billy Cannon, but I can’t imagine that team having the talent that this 2011 LSU team has.

The greatest LSU team in my mind for the past decade was undoubtedly the 2003 team coached by Nick Saban, Jimbo Fisher, Will Muschamp and Derek Dooley, but after watching these eight games of this 2011 squad, my opinion has changed.

LSU has only played eight games so far, but they have faced the cream of the crop this year and won every game by double-digits.

That’s amazing when you look at the schedule this team has had. The defense is just as good as the 2003 team with both of those teams having an amazing secondary and great defensive lines. As for the offense, well, it's bullying defenses in the trenches, and Lee is managing the game as well as providing touchdown passes.

This team constantly wins the turnover ratio, doesn’t beat themselves with penalties and straight up plays dominant football.

I mean, they only have three turnovers on the year and have a plus-15 turnover ratio through eight games. All in all, I guess I’m just absolutely blown away that LSU was able to dismantle Auburn without three of their best players not playing.

I’m having trouble holding back a smile while I write this, because that is one of the best college football performances I’ve seen in a while.

Of all of Les Miles' "damn strong football teams," I believe this is his strongest, and that’s what makes this Alabama matchup in two weeks so exhilarating. If you’re not excited about that game, you’re either not a football fan or you don’t have a pulse.