The Auburn Plainsman sports staff gives their preview of Saturday's matchup between No. 10 Auburn and LSU in Death Valley.
Will Sahlie, sports editor
Nathan King, assistant sports editor
This game is weird.
Not only has LSU looked like two entirely different ball clubs over the last two weeks, but former head coach Les Miles will be in attendance in Death Valley on Saturday. Fans will likely be chanting to bring him back if things get testy for the home Tigers.
Auburn has the firepower to pummel the LSU that lost to Troy. It will receive stiff competition if the LSU that defeated No. 21 Florida shows up, however. Auburn has been cursed by slow starts in Baton Rogue, but this year's offense has jumped on defenses quickly thanks to Jarrett Stidham's unwavering efficiency and Kerryon Johnson's red zone prowess.
The LSU defense is powerful enough to slow down Stidham and Johnson, however the Bayou Bengals offense will be in a horrible position come game time. An unsure quarterback and an injured tailback may be gobbled up quickly by Kevin Steele's stingy defenders.
The LSU home crowd should play a big factor if their team can stay in the game past halftime, which I'm betting they will. Auburn will need some heroics late in this one, as a win in Baton Rogue never comes easy. When it's all said and done, Gus Malzahn's team will have ended their 18-year dry streak in Death Valley.
Score prediction: Auburn 14, LSU 13.
Tyler Roush, sports reporter
Sumner Martin, sports writer
Bennett Page, sports writer
This is an entirely different LSU team than it was before the Florida game. After losses to Mississippi State and Troy, their season looked like it was already down the drain. An impressive defensive performance and the return of Derrius Guice seem to have resurrected the Bengal Tigers and may provide a tougher challenge for Auburn than was expected two weeks ago.
The preseason Heisman favorite of most college football analysts, running back Derrius Guice returned from injury in the Florida game. His numbers weren't necessarily eye-popping (17 carries for 50 yards and 2.9 YPC), he should be closer to full health this week and can put any defense on its toes. Auburn's running back, Kerryon Johnson, leads the country in rushing touchdowns with 12, and he's only played in four games. Auburn will need that red zone production this year, as their only points against LSU last year came on six Daniel Carlson field goals.
This game will be closer than any of Auburn's SEC games so far, and LSU may keep Malzahn's offense in check for most of the game. Johnson's red zone production should help Auburn put up some points, however. Auburn's impressive rush defense will force LSU quarterback Danny Etling to beat Auburn in the air, which the orange and blue shouldn't be too worried about. Auburn will pull out a hard-fought win in Baton Rouge.
Score Prediction: Auburn 27, LSU 14.
Peter Santo, sports writer
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