I agree, I don't think our offense is that bad. Remember, we are basically starting a freshman qb in the SEC. That alone will take time. The only way to improve is for game time experience. I believe we have one of the best offensive lines in the country and one of the best ground games too. Our RB's will hit AU for 250+ on the ground. We have 4 big, strong backs and they will stay fresh throughout the game. I agree that Murphy may explode on AU this week. Our Qb's are struggling a little bit with hitting the open receiver. The game pressure will be fast and furious this week, and the qb's will have to adjust, but our receivers have been able to get very open and are explosive after the catch. I hope AU stacks 8 in the box to stop the run. I am confident our receivers will beat AU db's all day long. Having said that, AU is sick on the defensive line, but I believe our O Line creates opportunities for our offense on the ground and in the air all day long. I think LSU pulls away in the second half. LSU- 31 AU- 13 :geaux:
It's going to be another classic between the two Tigers from the SEC West. LSU comes in with a solid running game against a very solid run defense. If Auburn cannot improve on their lack of production in the redzone, turnovers, and penalties, the Auburn D will be put in a tough spot, allowing LSU to wear them down in the second half. On the other hand, if LSU cannot get their skill guys into the game early and put pressure on the AU offense by putting points on the board, expect a low scoring slobber knocker. Auburn has the talent to compete, but it needs to play a much better game (of course) to beat LSU. LSU has QB questions, and Auburn has system questions. Both defenses are great, and it may come down to the typical FG or late score to win. Either way it should be a great SEC contest between two rivals who both HATE Alabama :lol: Just a note to add.....LSU and Auburn have combined for a total of 29 points the last two games at JHS. (10-9 in 2004 and 7-3 in 2006). And that was with much better offenses on both sidelines.
my breakdown : '08 Here's my annual breakdown for the TigerForums crew: For six of the past 8 years, the LSU-AU matchup has determined the SEC West champ, and it’s not a stretch to believe it won’t be the same this season. The real irony is just how similar these teams are at this point in time. Dominating defensive play,…. solid O-lines, ….uncertainty at quarterback, …. dynamic athletes on both sides of the ball, …. veteran coaching and leadership, and the list goes on. These two teams are a lot more alike than they are different, IMO. Defense DL – the two best D-fronts in the conference with no less than 6 NFL-caliber players among them. Strength, depth, athleticism, experience, and the "Secret Sauce" of the SEC ….. Nastiness ….. these guys have it all. Advantage: Even LB – Auburn has talent on the two-deep and will steadily rotate them throughout all four quarters. Excellent run stoppers, with the speed to pick RB's on the wheel route. With the absence of Beckwith, it makes this decision easy. Advantage: Auburn DB’s – it’s difficult to properly evaluate the DB’s because IMHO neither group has been thoroughly tested this season. The loss of Jr. CB Aairon Savage in an already thin secondary has forced AU to play a lot of youth. So far, they’ve responded well, but can they handle the steady diet of quality receivers they will see against LSU? News at eleven ... Advantage : slight edge, LSU Overall Defense: Even, ….. and that’s a compliment of the highest order for both teams. Offense OL – these are two of the SEC’s very best from a personnel perspective, but LSU’s talent edge will be magnified due to the transition struggles that AU is experiencing. The change to the two-point stance leaves the AU OL at a clear disadvantage in short-yardage situations, which is a certain occurrence in this game. Oh, and Herman Johnson is a beast. Advantage: LSU RB - both teams are loaded with talent, experience, toughness, and depth …. And both backfields are IMO underrated in the SEC. Again, the scheme may be the difference – LSU’s backs are comfortable in their scheme, AU’s backs are in mid-transition and it shows. Count me in the camp that believes the loss of Hester was significant. Advantage: slight edge, LSU QB – honestly, who really knows? It’s such a mixed-bag, Jekyll-and-Hyde situation that I pity the two OC’s who must make a decision on who to play and under what circumstances. I suspect that all 4 QB’s will play, and it’s a certainty that all 4 will be under heavy pressure. This very well may come down to which QB avoids the critical mistake. Advantage: None. Receivers – there’s a lot more to being an SEC-level receiver than getting open and catching the football. The LSU receiver corps is experienced and ruthlessly efficient. Their proven route discipline and blocking experience gives LSU the clear advantage in this area. Given that neither team will go airborne unless forced to do so, the blocking abilities of LSU’s receivers will be the biggest team advantage for LSU in this game. Dickson must be accounted for, but no less than LSU must account for Trott …. I know, …I know, …. but don’t let statistics fool you on this one. Advantage: LSU Overall Offense: Advantage LSU Special Teams If there is one team advantage that offers Auburn a clear advantage over LSU, it may be ST play. AU struggled with windy conditions in Starkville, just as they did in the ’05 game against LSU, ….. but this is a top-notch group that has improved in nearly every measurable category over last season, especially in their kick coverage. Wes Byrum is stone cold and has the range and accuracy to be relied upon with the winning FG on the line. AU’s Ryan Shoemaker was a 1st Team All SEC Punter who has noticably improved since last season. Unfortunately, he was still beaten out by Clinton Durst who has shown a proficiency that is rare among newcomers to the game. Durst is deliberate though, and as such may be vulnerable to punt-block efforts. Advantage: Auburn Intangibles Coaching – like the two teams themselves, Miles and Tuberville are a lot more alike than they are different. Strong-willed, midwestern values, and fair-but-disciplined leaders of men. Both are generally conservative, but have been known to roll the dice unexpectedly and come up big. Miles has a ring, Tubs should have one. Tuberville’s record against Top 10 opponents is rarely equaled. Both have fine staffs and both are skilled at player development and gameday preparation. This game will be viewed as a defining moment for CTT, one that could determine his overall legacy on the Plains ….. and you can bet that he wants this one badly. Advantage: Even Home Field – the home team has held-serve in the recent series, but the games have been such low-scoring affairs that a single break can skew the outcome one way or the other. Both teams have been burned by officiating mistakes in the recent series. Normally, I would minimize home field advantage, but in this case, with a new QB, I’d give a clear advantage to Auburn due to the hostile environment. IMO, the LSU quarterback that demonstrates the most poise, will step forward and become the starter for the remainder of LSU’s season. Advantage: Auburn My Prediction This promises to be another one of those knock-down-drag-out affairs that the Tiger Bowl has become notorious for producing, with both defenses dominating the opposing offenses. I look for both coaches to play defense and engage in a field-position battle, demonstrating the Tubs/Miles patience while waiting for the other team to commit a lethal mistake. IMHO, there are several key areas to observe that will likely determine the outcome: 1) LSU must convert on 3rd downs – easier said than done against a defense that leads the nation in defending 3rd-down conversions at only 6.4% of attempts allowed. 2) Auburn must average better than 5 yards per 1st down attempt. It’s the only way that AU can keep LSU’s defense from overrunning them on a consistent basis. Auburn has been abysmal at accomplishing this against much lesser defenses. 3) Special Teams – if AU wins this game, it will be because of stellar ST play for 4 solid quarters. Field position will be at a premium, typical for this game. Currently, Vegas has installed LSU as a 2.5 to 3.0 favorite, and an Over/Under at 38 points. I won’t touch this game as there are far better plays available this weekend, but if forced, I’d take the Under and I’d take Auburn +3 to cover as a home dog. Special teams play will be the difference. My score prediction: AU 16 LSU 13
I'm hearing that the line is LSU by 2 or 3 and that the over/under is 37.5 So does that mean LSU 21, Auburn 17?
Is anyone here traveling to the game? If so, are you going with a wife/girlfriend/any female friend who looks like they are in college? I could greatly use a favor if this is the case. Please PM me to help a Tiger fan out!
