Last season, Auburn had LSU on the ropes after coming out and taking a 20-0 lead early in the second quarter. LSU would eventually come back after questionable and conservative play calling by Auburn would let them back into the game.
The loss sparked a run for Auburn that included five straight wins to end the regular season and an offensive explosion where the Tigers averaged 40.4 points a game during that stretch.
Now it is LSU’s turn to travel to The Plains, and Auburn has revenge on its mind. Here is a quick look on some players to watch in this weekend's top-12 match up:
Players to watch:
Nick Brossette (LSU)
The heir to LSU starter running back spot from Derrius Guice has impressed already this season. Brossette rushed for 125 yards against a No. 8 Miami team and 137 yards against Southeastern Louisiana last Saturday.
Auburn handled Myles Gaskin in its first match up, not allowing him to reach the end zone or eclipse 100 yards. But Brossette is a much bigger back that has both speed and strength. The Auburn front seven versus Brossette is something to keep an eye out for on Saturday.
Joe Burrow (LSU)
Burrow transferred in from Ohio State and took over the starting quarterback job. He has been solid but not great for the Tigers. Through two games, Burrow has struggled with accuracy by only completing 47.7 percent of his passes, including only 45.8 against Miami.
Auburn’s defensive backs play tight man coverage but have struggled against accurate quarterbacks who can fit the ball into the windows. Whether Burrow has the ability to hit those throws is something to watch out for.
Devin White (LSU)
White is the backbone of the LSU defense, not only as a vocal leader but as one who is involved in almost every play. White led the Tigers with 133 total tackles and was over double the amount of the second-place player in the tackle category. White also led the team in tackles for loss with 13.5.
White has picked up right where he left of in 2017, leading the team through two games in tackles. He offers the Tigers their best run support option, and after Auburn rushed for over 400 yards against Alabama State, the matchup between the running game of Auburn and White could be an interesting one.
Ryan Davis (Auburn)
Davis has been Stidham’s favorite target since his arrival at Auburn and with good reason. Davis has the highest catch percentage out of any of the receivers from last season, but in the loss against LSU, he only had two catches but torched the defense averaging 33 yards a catch.
It is likely that LSU’s lockdown corner Greedy Williams follows Davis wherever he lines up. It will be interesting to see how Chip Lindsey and Gus Malzahn scheme around Williams to get Davis the ball in open field.
Daniel Thomas (Auburn)
Thomas has arguably been Auburn’s defensive MVP this season with two impressive outings in Auburn’s first games. Against Washington, Thomas tied for the team lead in tackles and even set the tone early for the defense with a crushing hit on Gaskin on Washington’s first play of the game. In week two against Alabama State, Thomas recorded his second two interception game and even took one of the two to the house.
The safety has a special ability to ballhawk and fly downhill to lay a hit on an opposing running back or receiver. If Thomas can take advantage of Burrow’s tendency to be inaccurate, it will be a long day for LSU’s offense.
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