Game preview: No. 15 LSU at No. 5 Auburn
FOUR DOWN TERRITORY
1. Offensive consistency: The only thing consistent about the Auburn offense thus far is its inconsistency. Nick Marshall has yet to find a rhythm passing or running over the course of a game, though he's had a few very strong drives or select plays. Cameron Artis-Payne has been most consistent, but he's had times where room to run has been an issue. D'haquille Williams is catching almost everything thrown his way, but had a big drop at Kansas State. Too many of these issues against Auburn's best opponent to date won't lead to success.
2. The walking wounded: Auburn sustained several injuries in last week's non-conference thrashing of Louisiana Tech. Starting linebackers Cassanova McKinzy (concussion) and Kris Frost (left knee) and right tackle Patrick Miler (left foot) all went down. McKinzy is a major concern because it's a concussion and for what he means to the defense. If Anthony Swain has to make his first career start, expect Kris Frost to handle a lot of the communication.
3. Harris starts: LSU is starting true freshman Brandon Harris, who Auburn recruited heavily last year, for the first time. He's shown playmaking ability in the air and on the ground and with such little film to work off of, will present a challenge to an Auburn defense that has faced three pocket passers thus far.
4. Avenge a loss: There is rarely a shortage of motivation in SEC play but with LSU being the only regular-season loss for Auburn last season, and the first half being what Gus Malzahn repeatedly called an "embarrassment," there is that little extra incentive. Auburn has also lost three straight to LSU and a lot of players, particularly seniors, want to end that streak.
KEY MATCHUP
Auburn CB Jonathan Jones vs. LSU WR Travin Dural
Jones got off to a rough start against Kansas State's Tyler Lockett, lucking into an interception in the end zone that should have been a touchdown, and two pass interference calls. Auburn tried to take Lockett out and allowed Kansas State to go to its second wide receiver at will, but that won't work against LSU. Travin Dural has 21 catches for 534 yards and five touchdowns and Malachi Dupre, the top high school wide receiver in the country last year, has nine receptions for 197 yards and four scores and is Brandon Harris' favorite target.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
D'haquille Williams
Wide Receiver, Jr., 6-2, 216
Williams spurned his in-state school in coming to Auburn and there will be no shortage of motivation to show LSU what it missed out on. Duke has 23 receptions for 357 yards and three touchdowns, already with a few highlight reel grabs, including last week's incredible one-handed touchdown grab between two defenders. LSU has the best corners Auburn has faced to date, so the matchups will be competitive.
BY THE NUMBERS
2001: The last time LSU entered the Auburn game not ranked in the AP top 10
12: Consecutive home wins for Auburn
37-0: Auburn has scored 37 points off turnovers while allowing none to its opponents
36.8: Quan Bray's nation-leading punt return average
20 of 26: True freshmen have accounted for 20 of LSU's 26 offensive touchdowns
PREDICTION
This is not the LSU teams of years past. Many familiar names are gone, but the new ones are very good. Auburn is the better team, even if some injured players can't go, and will win a close game. Auburn 31, LSU 24
THE GAME
When: 6 p.m. Saturay
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn
Records: Auburn (4-0, 1-0 SEC), LSU (4-1, 0-1)
Line: Auburn by 8
On the air: TV – ESPN. Radio – WMSP-AM 740, WLWI-FM 92.3
Twitter: @JamesCrepea, @MGMsports, @DuaneRankin
Hashtag: #WarEagle, #Auburn