BATON ROUGE — Control of the Southeastern Conference Western Division as well as LSU’s 17-game home field winning streak will be on the line Saturday when the fifth-ranked LSU Tigers host 18th-ranked Auburn in a key conference clash in Tiger Stadium.
Kickoff for the battle of the Tigers is set for 8:05 p.m. in a sold out Tiger Stadium. The game will be televised to a national audience by ESPN. The game can also be heard in the GeauxZone on LSUsports.net as well as locally on 98.1 FM.
Members of the Geaux Zone on LSUsports.net can watch LIVE pregame video (ends at kickoff per SEC regulations) and listen to the entire game audio broadcast starting at 6 p.m. CT. Not a member? Join now.
GameDay Info
LSU vs. Auburn
Saturday, Oct. 20
8:05 p.m. CT
GameTime Temp: 68?
Rain: 0% chance
Humidity: 61%
Wind: SE 3 mph
Forecast
Kickoff: 8:05 p.m. CDT
Sunset: 6:28 p.m. CDT
Times of Interest
Noon
LSU Ticket Office opens
Noon
LSU Baseball Practice (open to public) at Alex Box Stadium
3:30 p.m.
Deep Shag concert at Tiger One Village (front of Maravich Center)
5:30 p.m.
Gates of Tiger Stadium open
5:50 p.m.
LSU football team walks down Victory Hill
6 p.m.
LSU Game Day presented by CST radio show at Tiger One Village | Watch Live Pregame Video
6:10 p.m.
Tiger Band and Mike VI march down Victory Hill
7:25 p.m.
LSU Cheerleaders and Mike VI circle field in Tiger Stadium
7:49 p.m.
Tiger Band plays “Pre-Game”
8:05 p.m.
Kickoff: LSU vs. Auburn
Pre-Game Presentations
TAF President’s Cup
Charlie McClendon Scholarship Recognition
1st Quarter Presentation
Paul Dietzel recognition
Halftime
LSU Golden Band from Tigerland performs
Guest Captains
Michael Brooks
Lance Smith
Eric Martin
Norman Hodgins
LSU, now 6-1 overall after last week’s 43-37 triple-overtime loss to Kentucky, has won 17 straight games in Tigers Stadium, tying the school-record for the longest winning streak in the venue. LSU hasn’t lost a home game since a 30-27 setback to Tennessee to open the Les Miles era in 2005.
Auburn, winners of eight consecutive SEC road games, has won four straight and brings a 5-2 overall mark into the game. The Tigers are coming off a 9-7 win over Arkansas last week.
Both LSU and Auburn are tied for the lead in the SEC Western Division, along with Alabama, with 3-1 records.
The winner of the LSU-Auburn game has gone on to claim the SEC Western Division title in five of the last seven years. The only exceptions have come in 2002 and 2006 when Arkansas won the division. Last year, Auburn posted a 7-3 win over LSU in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
“We’ve had a good week of practice, with a real attention to detail and good focus,” Miles said. “Auburn has a very good team and they are playing outstanding football right now. We understand that our work is cut out for us and we like it that way. We appreciate the opportunity to be at home and play a quality opponent.”
LSU and Auburn bring similar strengths into the contest as both are among the best in the nation in several defensive categories. LSU ranks first in the nation in pass defense efficiency, No. 2 in total defense (233.14 yards per game), No. 4 in pass defense (155.14 yards per game), No. 6 in scoring (14.14 points per game) and No. 7 in rushing defense (68.0 yards per game).
Auburn has been just as stingy, limiting opponents to 15.6 points and 279.0 yards per game. Auburn is allowing 109.3 yards rushing per contest and they’ve only allowed a total of 31 points in their last three games.
“Auburn has a tremendous defense,” Miles said. “Anytime you can hold a guy like (Arkansas’) Darren McFadden to less than 100 yards; that tells you just how good they are on the defensive side of the ball.”
The Auburn defense will be challenged by an LSU offense that is averaging over 37 points and 427 yards per game. LSU is among the national leaders in rushing offense with 232 yard per contest.
One key for LSU on Saturday is getting the passing game going again. LSU’s air attack should receive a big boost against Auburn as senior wide receiver Early Doucet is expected to play for the first time since the second week of the season.
“Early practiced the entire week and we’re excited to have him back on the field with us,” Miles said. “We’d expect him to see playing time. Our receiving core is looking forward to Early’s return and enjoys lining up along side to him. When he’s on the field, he brings a great deal of confidence to our receiving corps and his presence makes those around him better.”
Despite playing in just two games, Doucet still ranks second in the squad with 15 catches for 153 yards and a touchdown.
When the Tigers aren’t throwing the ball, they rely on a running back-by-committee approach, which has been led by senior Jacob Hester, who has rushed for a team-best 494 yards and five scores. Keiland Williams (277 yards, 5 TDs), Charles Scott (208 yards, 4 TDs) and Trindon Holliday (204 yards, 1 TD) are also among the mix at the running back spot for LSU.
Defensively, LSU goes into the Auburn game looking to make up for last week’s effort that allowed 43 points to a season-high 375 yards to Kentucky.
Against Auburn, LSU’s defense will go against an offense that is averaging 25.6 points and 335 yards per game. Auburn has been paced on offense by quarterback Brandon Cox (1,064 passing yards and 4 TDs) and running backs Ben Tate (597 yards, 4 TDs) and Brad Lester (166 yards, 2 TDs).
“Our defense wants to play well,” Miles said. They understand they are capable and will play better this Saturday night.”
The LSU defense is led by safety Craig Steltz (49 tackles, 4 interceptions) linebacker Ali Highsmith (45 tackles) and defensive tackle Glenn Dorsey (34 tackles, 5.0 sacks).
Following Saturday’s game with Auburn, LSU will enjoy its only open date of the season on Oct. 27 before returning to action against Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 3.