Auburn and LSU meet in a matchup that suddenly looks considerably more interesting than it might have a couple of weeks ago. Auburn is coming off one of the biggest surprises of the SEC season, a 27–24 victory over previously top-ranked Georgia. LSU, meanwhile, strengthened its position with a shutout of Mississippi State.
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Those results set up a fascinating contrast between a team riding the excitement of an upset and another looking to establish itself as a serious contender.
For Auburn, the biggest question is whether the Tigers can follow one outstanding performance with another. Beating Georgia demonstrated that Auburn has the talent and determination to compete against elite opponents. Doing it again against LSU will require the same concentration, particularly on defense. Auburn cannot afford to spend the opening quarter celebrating last week’s achievement while LSU establishes control of the game.
Jordan-Hare Stadium should provide a significant advantage. Auburn’s home crowd has a history of creating difficult conditions for visiting offenses, particularly when the Tigers are playing meaningful conference football. The atmosphere figures to be electric after the Georgia victory, and an early Auburn touchdown could make things especially uncomfortable for LSU.
LSU’s challenge is to take the crowd out of the contest. That begins with protecting the football, avoiding penalties and producing enough successful early-down plays to stay ahead of the chains. Long third-down situations are precisely what Auburn wants. They give the defense opportunities to attack the quarterback while the crowd makes communication difficult.
The battle in the trenches could determine the outcome. Auburn must establish a credible running attack to prevent LSU from concentrating on its passing game. LSU, on the other hand, needs to demonstrate that its defensive performance against Mississippi State was more than the product of a favorable matchup. Controlling Auburn’s rushing lanes and preventing explosive plays would go a long way toward accomplishing that.
Special teams also deserve attention. In a game that could be decided by one possession, field position and kicking reliability may become particularly important. Neither team wants to give its opponent a short field through a mishandled punt or unnecessary penalty.
The most intriguing aspect of this matchup is Auburn’s confidence. A team that defeats Georgia knows it can beat almost anyone. But LSU has the defensive ability to make Auburn earn every yard, and the visiting Tigers should arrive understanding the danger.
I expect a physical contest with momentum swings and a tense fourth quarter. Auburn’s home-field advantage makes this close, but LSU’s ability to limit scoring opportunities gives the visitors a slight edge.
Predicted score: LSU 24, Auburn 21
