BATON ROUGE — It’s only the third week of the season, but the stakes are high for Saturday’s matchup between sixth-ranked LSU and third-ranked Auburn. The contest starts at 2:30 p.m. from Jordan-Hare Stadium and will be televised to a national audience by CBS.
History indicates that the winner of the LSU-Auburn contest will have the upperhand in the race for the Southeastern Conference Western Division title. Five of the last six years, the winner of the LSU-Auburn game has gone on to play in the league’s title game.
Last year, LSU used a Chris Jackson field goal in overtime to beat Auburn, 20-17, in Tiger Stadium. LSU went on to claim the SEC Western Division title and played in the league’s championship game.
“We’ve had good week of practice,” LSU coach Les Miles said. “We’re excited about this opportunity. In big games there is a lot of motivation and this football team understands that and they understand who were are going to play on Saturday.
“It is a lot of fun preparing for a traditional opponent in a key rivalry game. It’s why you play football and it’s one of the reasons these players come to LSU, to play in games like this.”
Both teams are 2-0 this year and both are coming off resounding victories a week ago.
LSU goes into the Auburn contest coming off a 45-3 win over Arizona last week. In that game, the Tigers held the Wildcats to just a late fourth quarter field goal and only 152 yards of total offense. On the flip side, LSU reached the 40-point mark for the third straight game as the Tigers piled up 461 yards of offense against the Pac-10 team.
Auburn is coming off a 34-0 conference win over Mississippi State last week as the Tigers held the Bulldogs scoreless for the second straight year.
This year’s LSU-Auburn game, which has become known for unique happenings in and around the football contest, will be no different as the LSU Tigers will go against their former defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, who is in his first year at Auburn. Muschamp served as LSU’s defensive coordinator under Nick Saban and called the Tiger defenses during the 2003 national title run.
On the other side of the ball, LSU’s offense will be directed by seventh-year coordinator Jimbo Fisher. Fisher and Muschamp served on the same staff at LSU for four years. Saturday’s contest will mark the first time that Fisher’s offense will face Muschamp’s defense in competition, although the two went against each other on the practice field four years from 2001-05.
Fisher’s LSU offense ranks among the SEC and national leaders in several categories, including scoring (45.0 points per game), total offense (465.0 yards per game), and passing offense (264.5 yards per game).
The catalyst for the LSU offense has been quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who ranks third in the nation in pass efficiency after completing 26 of 37 passes for 449 yards and five touchdowns in the Tigers first two games. Russell’s top targets have been running back Jacob Hester (8 rec., 54 yards, 1 TD) and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe (7 rec., 153 yards, 2 TDs.)
LSU at Auburn
Weather (Forecast)
GameTime Conditions: Sunny GameTime Temp: 89?
High: 91?
Low: 64?
Chance of Rain: 0%
Humidity: 53%
Wind: SE @ 5 mph
Sunset: 6:47 p.m. CT
When the Tigers aren’t throwing it, they have used a running back-by-committee approach with Hester, Alley Broussard and Justin Vincent each carrying the ball 16 times through two games. LSU’s leading rusher in true freshman Charles Scott, who has 86 yards and one touchdown on nine carries.
In order for the Tigers to give Russell and the skill players a chance on Saturday, the offensive line must continue its strong play. Through two games, the Tigers have allowed only one sack.
Defensively, LSU brings one of the nation’s top defenses into the contest as the Tigers are the only team in country that has yet to allow a touchdown. In two games, LSU has given up only two field goals as the Tiger defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown in 14 quarters.
That streak will be tested by Auburn as the War Eagles feature the SEC’s top running back in Kenny Irons, who is averaging 126 yards per game. A year ago, Irons rushed for 218 yards and a score in the loss to LSU. Auburn’s offense is led by quarterback Brandon Cox, who hasn’t thrown an interception this year in leading the Tigers to 74 points in their first two games of the year.
“You look at them on film and understand why they are ranked third in the nation,” Miles said. “With Kenny Irons and Brad Lester and their quarterback Brandon Cox, they are very efficient on offense. They run the football well and Brandon Cox makes good decisions with the football. He’s a tremendous quarterback who handles their offense very well.”
Auburn’s offense will be tested by an LSU defense that has five interceptions and six sacks to its credit this year. LSU cornerback Jonathan Zenon has returned interceptions for touchdowns in each of LSU’s first two games. Linebacker Darry Beckwith leads the Tigers in tackles with 15, including nine last week against Arizona.
“Defensively, we are going to be challenged by a very talented offense,” Miles said. “We have done a good job of preparing this week. We are looking forward to the challenge.”