Well, the lsu D is ranked #1 in the nation I think. But what the ranking doesn't show it that this same D has yet to face a TRUE rushing attack (and no, a bottom tier SEC East USC team doesn't cut it). The lsu D held UGA's (primarily passing) offense in check, which is quite an accomplishment. But other than that, no team they've faced this season REALLY runs the ball. Lsu will definitely have its hands full trying to stop a real rushing attack that Auburn's going to be bringing. I'm not saying lsu CAN'T stop the Auburn run, but I am saying that it won't be a cake walk like most think...
I think you're focusing on Campbell too much. It's the Auburn O-line that makes everything work. The O-line has to open up holes for Carnell and Co. It's the O-line that has to protect Campbell when he does throw. If the lsu front 7 man-handles the Auburn O-line and knocks Campbell out of his game, lsu wins. So I think it has more to do with lsu's front seven getting past the O-line...
Here are the current rankings of the rushing offenses of LSU's opponents... UL Monroe: #81 ( Had 59 against LSU ) Ariz: #95 ( Had 91 against LSU ) W. ILL: Division IAA N/A ( Had 13 against LSU ) UGA: #63 ( Had 97 against LSU ) MSU: #78 ( Had 31 against LSU ) Florida: #62 ( Had 81 against LSU ) SC: #51 ( Had 0 against LSU ) Here are the current rankings of the rush defenses of Auburns opponents... Southern Cal: #9 (Auburn rushed for 40) Georgia Tech: #19 (Auburn rushed for 40) Vanderbilt: #89 (Auburn rushed for 219) Western Ky: Division IAA N/A (Auburn rushed for 285) Tennessee: #50 (Auburn rushed for 264) Arkansas: #55 (Auburn rushed for 160) Miss. State: #100 (Auburn rushed for 405) A case can be made that LSU has played mostly passing teams and that is reflected in their #1 rushing defense ranking. Conversely it is also clear that Auburn put up its impressive 405-yard rushing game against the #100-ranked rushing defense in Divison IA. Against below-average rushing defenses Auburn has done above average. Against highly ranked defenses, Auburn has done poorly. Last weekend Auburn ran for over 400 yards, while LSU held its opponent to 0. I think both teams fans will be disapponted this Saturday. This game will tell us a lot about both of these teams.
Yeah, Red has it down. This Saturday's game figures to be the stick by which these teams will be measured. I think that may be a little optimistic. I am pretty confident that we will hold Carnell to less than 100 yards, and I think we will hold Ronnie Brown to less than 100 yards as well. I dont think we will be able to keep them under 100 yards total.
Well, Auburn is winning games with their ground game...I think that's the most important stat, no? So that comes out to 5-2, leader of the SEC West, and second leading rushing team in the SEC...how's that poor?
Well, winning games certainly isnt poor. However, he was referring to games against top ranked defenses (top 20-25), of which Auburn lost both.
Yeah, that is a good point but like he also said, there's going to be a lot of dissapointed people when they see the strengths of these two teams going at each other on Saturday. And it's not like Auburn's O-line is playing like they did against USC and GT from the beginning of the season so I wouldn't count on lsu having that same success...
LSU will not hold AU to under 100 yards rushing. Auburn HAS to run the ball. They will rush over 30 times in the game and will average 4 yards a carry or so. Cadillac is bound to rip off a couple of 10+ yard runs. But don't look for 200+ rushing yards. It won't happen. Campbell will have to get time to throw the ball. O-Line is the KEY. LSU WILL slow the run enough to force the throw. Then we win. LSU 24 Auburn 14
Keys to the game all center around defenses ability to shut the other offenses down. Both teams have good defenses. You can talk stats all you want. I dont ever like them to prove a point. I think it comes down to the team that can get three and outs with their defense the most wins the game. If Auburn runs the ball efectively then they will control the clock and win a low scoring game. If LSU can get alot of three and outs then LSU offense will put some points on the board and LSU wins. Thats how i see it anyway. Geaux LSU Tigers
