Question about Auburn-LSU Series

Does anybody know why the game is in the middle of the year when it is in Baton Rouge and one of the first games when it is in Auburn?

I was looking at our preliminary 2008 schedule and the game is in September again. Seems the past 3-4 years we've played yall in September at home and at your place in October. I don't really think it helps either team either way, but I didn't know if there was any reasoning behind it as far as the SEC Office was concerned.

This was also asked on an Auburn board so I'll let yall know if I hear anything from there.

 

I think it's just to add more drama to the game since the winner usually has the inside track to the SECCG. The later in the year it is, the more they can hype it. That's the only thing I can think of.

 

This game should be played late every year. Maybe switched with the Ole Miss date and keep it that way.

 

I read somewhere that Auburn prefers to play the game earlier in the year, and LSU prefers to play it later. I don't remember where I read that, may have even been on here somewhere. I heard that AU wanted this years game moved up to September, but LSU refused. Maybe that's the reason.

Only advantage I can see to playing it early, is that the loser of the game has more time to rebound, and try to get back in the MNC hunt. Only advantage I see to playing it later is that by October, the weather is changing to more of a football-type climate, the game (usually) becomes bigger, because both teams are highly ranked and in the thick of the division race, and both teams have plenty of time to "gel". Because of that, the crowd is rowdier, National TV is all over it, and IMO makes for an even better game etc. etc. etc.