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Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Louisiana State Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) leaves the field after scoring three touchdowns against the Auburn football Tigers at Tiger Stadium. LSU won 45-21. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
Here we break down the offensive and defensive matchups as Auburn football prepares to take on LSU at Jordan-Hare Stadium this weekend.
The up-and-down season for Auburn football continues this weekend as they take on number 18 LSU at home this Saturday.
Auburn started out the season with a disappointing offensive performance against Clemson, but followed that up with a great game against Arkansas State before going backwards against Texas A&M.
If this is the rollercoaster Auburn football is riding this year, we’re due for a great game against LSU.
In all honestly, who knows what we’ll get from Auburn football this weekend. That is the most frustrating thing about this entire process. Gus Malzahn is struggling to find any kind of consistency on offense.
The same can also be said for Auburn’s opponent this weekend in LSU. Les Mile’s group has already had a quarterback change, which hasn’t exactly made them a prolific offense. Leonard Fournette is still the straw that stirs the drink.
However, that game plan worked out pretty well for LSU last year as Fournette thrashed through Auburn’s defense.
As we wrote earlier this week, both Les Miles and Gus Malzahn could be coaching for their jobs this weekend. If LSU were to lose to Auburn, I’m not sure Les Miles makes it through this season.
Another loss for Auburn and I think Gus remains the head coach, but it could be the beginning of the end.
There’s a little something extra on the line in this meeting, so let’s get into the matchups.
Sep 19, 2015; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive back Trey Matthews (28) jumps over Louisiana State Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) to try to get the ball loose in the second half at Tiger Stadium. Fournette kept running to score his second touchdown of the game. Mandatory Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
LSU Offense vs Auburn Defense
We all remember the disaster that was the 2015 version of this game. Auburn was still undefeated somehow with hopes of getting on track against LSU.
However, that was not the case as Leonard Fournette ran wild against the Auburn defense for 228 yards on 19 carries and 3 touchdowns. He didn’t have one single negative yard in the game.
It was embarrassing watching our defensive backs try to tackle Fournette, with Tray Matthews actually jumping over him.
They rushed for 411 yards against us last year.
Through two games this season the Auburn defense is giving up just 149.3 rushing yards per game. LSU is running for just 182.3 yards per game.
The LSU offense as a whole is averaging 23.7 points and 340 yards per game on the season. They scored 14 points against Wisconsin, 34 against Jacksonville State and 23 against Mississippi State.
I think Auburn’s defense is better than all three of those teams.
The game plan for Auburn on defense is simple in this one, tackle Leonard Fournette.
Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive back Nick Ruffin (19) tackles Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Christian Kirk (3) during the second quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Auburn’s defense has done a much better job of tackling this season outside of the Texas A&M game. You know they are looking to redeem themselves from an embarrassing performance last year.
Johnathan Ford, Nick Ruffin, Tray Matthews and the other guys in the secondary will have to do a better jump of chopping their feet and staying in front of Fournette when he gets to that third level.
I think the defensive line with Montravius Adams and Derrick Brown will plug up the middle. Tre’ Williams and Darrell Williams will need to be ready if he does break through the line, or if he bounces it outside.
LSU’s new starting quarterback, Danny Etling, has been more efficient throwing than Brandon Harris, but he’s still not someone who is going to beat you with his arm.
They do have some talented receivers in Travian Dural and Malachi Dupre if the quarterback can ever get them the ball.
Still, if Auburn is going to win this game they’ll have to contain Fournette. Unfortunately, that’s not as simple as it sounds.
Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Sean White (13) throws a pass against the Texas A&M Aggies during the first quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
Auburn Offense vs LSU Defense
It’s anyone’s guess as to what type of offense Gus Malzahn will go with this weekend against LSU. Just when it seemed like he had things figured out against Arkansas State and for a quarter against Texas A&M, he went back to calling terrible plays that resulted in negative yardage.
Sean White has been named the starter once again. I am perfectly OK with him being the quarterback as long as Gus Malzahn tailors the game plan to what he can do – or can’t do.
I would like to see John Franklin III come into this game a little earlier to help open up some running lanes for Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson.
When White is in the game he needs to be more efficient throwing the ball within 10 yards like he was to start the game against Texas A&M.
First and second down will once again be key for Auburn. White can’t continue to face third-and-long situations like he did against Texas A&M. Malzahn needs to draw up plays on early downs to setup makeable third down conversions.
The LSU defense is giving up just 103.3 yards per game on the ground this season, so White will have to be able to open things up by completing a few passes down field.
They are giving up 222.3 yards per game through the air, so I think Gus should come out throwing the ball as LSU will stack the box.
Sep 3, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; LSU Tigers linebacker Kendell Beckwith (52) celebrates following a play during the third quarter against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Linebacker Kendell Beckwith is the leader on defense for LSU with 24 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and 1 sack.
Defensive end Arden Key is off to a great start with a team-high 5 sacks already. His counterpart, Lewis Neal, has been extremely good at the other end as well with 17 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and 2.5 sacks.
Auburn’s offensive line will once again be tested as LSU has one of the best defensive lines in the country.
The key for Auburn on offense will be whether or not Sean White can complete some passes down field to open up the defense. If he can establish that early, I think Auburn will then have some success running the ball.
Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Sean White (13) runs the ball ahead of Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) during the first quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Game Preview
Unless there are some scores on defense or special teams, I don’t foresee this being a high-scoring game. With that, Auburn will be in it until the very end.
The key for Auburn will be throwing the football. LSU is going to sell out to stop the run, which means the passing lanes should be open for a secondary that is vulnerable.
However, the offensive line is going to have to give Sean White time to make some reads and throw the football. They did not do a good job of that against Texas A&M and it certainly got in White’s head.
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On the flip side, White has to know when to take off and run. He did a great job of that against Arkansas State, which eased up the pressure. Trevor Knight also did a great job of that against us last week.
If White can pull it down and pick up a couple of first downs with his legs, LSU will have to back off its pressure. That should give Sean White the time he needs to complete a couple of passes to open up the running game.
On defense, Auburn simply just has to do a better job of tackling and winning at the point-of-attack.
If the defensive line can get a push up front and slow down Leonard Fournette, it should give our linebackers and secondary guys a chance to make some plays in the backfield.
I don’t think Danny Etling can beat us through the air throwing the ball. Much like LSU will do to us, we need to do them in stacking the box.
Carlton Davis is good enough to take on their best receiver one-on-one if Kevin Steele will let him. That should allow Johnathan Ford or Tray Matthews to creep up in the box to help stop the run.
If Gus Malzahn sticks to the game plan, I really think Auburn comes out of this game with a MUCH needed victory.
My Prediction:
Auburn – 20
LSU – 17
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