On Sept. 15, ULM took Auburn to the wire and narrowly missed upsetting an SEC team for the second straight time.
This week on Sept. 22, Auburn (1-2) welcomes ULM's bayou brethren, the LSU Tigers (3-0), to the Plains as LSU begins their conference play in Jordan-Hare Stadium.
LSU has played three relatively easy games against unranked non-conference opponents North Texas, Washington and Idaho.
In those three games, LSU has been the epitome of balance on both sides of the ball, allowing an average of 10.3 points per game and racking up 48.3 points per game behind new starting quarterback Zach Mettenberger.
Mettenberger has shown improvement since his first start against North Texas, but his play has still been less than spectacular.
He has thrown an interception in two of his three games, only broken 200 yards once and shown an inability to effectively run the ball (eight carries for -24 yards).
The 6-foot 5-inch junior has been consistent, however, and can make all the throws required of him.
And yet, the real strength of LSU lies in its rushing attack.
The Bayou Bengals have four running backs capable of starting for any team in the NCAA and boast a stable of workhorses consisting of Alfred Blue, Kenny Hiliard, Michael Ford and Spencer Ware.
The fact that Ware, the team leader in rushing touchdowns last season, is fourth on the depth chart is a testament to the team's depth.
LSU has garnered 808 yards rushing in their first three games with 12 touchdowns on the ground.
Auburn's defense has played poorly against the run this season, and opponents have averaged 189 yards per game.
Despite LSU's status as an 21-point favorite and Auburn fans' low expectations, Gene Chizik seemed nonplussed about facing the national championship runner-up.
"This is what college football's all about- to be able to have the opportunity to have a very good football team come in here and see how much improvement we've made from the week before," Chizik said. "I think our players are very excited about the opportunity. I know our coaches are, as well. I think it'll be fun for our fans. It's going to be a great evening, so we're looking forward to it."
LSU has typical SEC powerhouse depth, but the team has suffered numerous losses that may impact the team's first game against a conference opponent.
Starting left tackle Chris Faulk is out for the season with a knee injury.
Tyrann Mathieu had his much publicized dismissal for failing a drug test and must now hope to make the team next season.
In addition, four LSU players have been ruled academically ineligible for the 2012 season: senior tight end Tyler Edwards, sophomore linebacker D.J. Welter, and sophomore offensive lineman Evan Washington and projected starting junior linebacker Tahj Jones.
All four players missed the first three games as they awaited the decision, but LSU now knows the holes it has to fill going against Auburn.
As for Auburn, the team is tied for last in the SEC West and has scored the fewest amount of points in the entire conference.
Chizik continuously preaches about taking the season one game at a time, but with AP No. 5 Georgia and No. 1 Alabama (not to mention former top-10 Arkansas) looming on the schedule, a loss against No. 3 LSU would cast doubt on Auburn's chances of climbing up from the bottom rung of the division.
As for this week's game against LSU, Auburn faces a steep challenge against the nation's No. 17-ranked scoring offense and No. 2 total defense.
If they overcome the odds, however, Auburn will definitely have earned their SEC stripes.
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