A 63-9 bloodletting in the highest scoring outing in Gus Malzahn's Auburn tenure was much needed for the No. 7 Tigers. In the win over FCS Alabama State, freshmen shined and injured Tigers were able to heal.
Junior receiver Darius Slayton was held out after being "a little banged up," while defensive backs Javaris Davis (arm) didn't record anything in the box score and Jamel Dean (finger) sat most of the second half.
Ahead of Malzahn's squad now is No. 12 LSU, the only other team in the nation to record a victory over a top-10 opponent this season. Auburn opened as a 10.5-point favorite Sunday.
Auburn's coaches insist that last season's 20-point meltdown loss in Baton Rouge isn't on their mind before this year's edition of the rivalry. And the last time LSU traveled to Jordan-Hare was Les Miles' final game as head coach.
Simply put, the rivalry rarely bores.
What's in store for Saturday's throwdown? Is JaTarvious Whitlow better built than Kam Martin to succeed against a physical LSU D-line? How much more of Anthony Schwartz can we expect? Will Joe Burrow have time in the pocket to pull out his first career SEC win? Let's talk about it.
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Nathan King, senior in journalism with a minor in business, is The Plainsman's sports editor.
