There are a few good games on the college football schedule this week, but none have been more hotly contested in recent years than the one between SEC West rivals sixth-ranked LSU and tenth-ranked Auburn.
Last year, Les Miles and LSU needed a last-second TD pass from Matt Flynn to beat Auburn and keep their national championship hopes alive. It worked, and they went on to win it all. That's not the first time the winner of the Tiger Bowl, the annual Auburn-LSU matchup, has gone on to win a national championship, and it certainly won't be the last.The home team has won this matchup for 8 years in a row now, which seems to give Auburn an edge this time. However, if Auburn wants to win, their offense will need to do a little better than they did last week against Mississippi State. Tommy Tuberville's Tigers were only able to post 3 points, and barely squeaked by in a 3-2 victory. The Auburn defense is a great one, giving up only 15 points so far in 3 games. Their opener was a shutout against Louisiana-Monroe, and they held Miss State to 2. They allowed 2 scores late against Southern Mississippi in week 2, but overall their defense has been dominant. They have held opposing offenses scoreless in 10 of 12 quarters so far this year.
LSU's defense is tough, as well. They allowed 13 points against Appalachian State in week one, and only a field goal to North Texas. But the one difference with LSU is that their offense can score in bunches. RB Charles Scott has rushed for 100+ yards and 2 TD's in each of their first two games, and is averaging 11.4 yards per carry. QB's Andrew Hatch and Jarrett Lee have combined for 402 yards and 3 TD's. Their primary target has been WR Brandon LaFell, who has 156 receiving yards and 2 TD's. Last year, LaFell caught 50 passes for 656 yards and 4 TD's.
This is the 6th straight year that these teams have both been ranked coming into their head to head matchup, and the 13th time overall. With Arkansas and Alabama also playing this week, this week will provide some early clarity in the SEC West.
Whichever team wins will immediately be thrown right in the middle of the national championship picture. If Auburn wins, they would leapfrog over LSU, and could possibly pass Alabama, Wisconsin and Texas, even if those teams were to win. LSU might not move up from #6 with a win, unless one of the top 5 teams faltered. But if one of them looks less than impressive, then there's definitely a great chance that the Bayou Bengals could slide up a spot or two.Expect a great defensive battle between these two teams this year. In 2006, Auburn won 7-3, and in 2004, they won 10-9. Those are the last two times these teams played in Auburn. Also, expect a close game. The last 4 games between these two teams were decided by an average of 3.5 points.
My prediction: Auburn with the upset, 17-14. What's your take?
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