Auburn, LSU could go either way
Keys for LSU
Pound the rock: If there’s a weakness to this Auburn defense, it’s stopping the run. The Tigers are allowing over 180 rushing yards per game, which is the third-worst mark in the conference. Auburn is especially susceptible to mobile quarterbacks, allowing 144 yards and two touchdowns to quarterbacks Matt Corrall and John Rhys Plumlee in a win against Auburn last Saturday.
If TJ Finley gets another start at quarterback for LSU, the Tigers should consider tapping into his abilities as a runner once more, as he registered 24 yards and a touchdown on the ground against South Carolina.
Get Ojulari going: BJ Ojulari has been the leader of what has been an effective pass rush for LSU’s defense thus far, leading the SEC in sacks with 14, and the Tigers
will face a very susceptible offensive front on Saturday. Auburn has allowed 12 sacks so far, the third-most in the conference, averaging over two sacks allowed per game. Ojulari has been a revelation for LSU’s defense, tied for the lead in the conference with four sacks, and he could be in for a big game against Auburn.
Keys for Auburn
Stretch the field: Though it had a bounceback game against South Carolina last week, LSU’s pass defense has been surprisingly porous, allowing 344.25 passing yards per game. Auburn has an explosive corps of receivers to play with, led by Seth Williams, who can do a lot of damage with the ball in his hands, and Anthony Schwartz, one of the fastest players in college football. Auburn will need to take some shots to keep an aggressive LSU defense honest.
Limit mistakes: Turnovers have been a recurring theme in Auburn’s two losses, with a total of four interceptions and one fumble dooming its chances against Georgia and South Carolina. The Tigers have also been lucky in games against Arkansas and Ole Miss, with controversial calls regarding turnovers going their way late in both games. Auburn’s sloppy play will catch up to it sooner rather than later, and if it’s not careful, that time could come against LSU.
Prediction
Auburn 27, LSU 24: This is a game that could truly go either way, with both teams on similar trajectories with similar levels of talent. Auburn only has the advantage due to it being a home game, though it will be a nail-biter on “The Plains”.