You want excitement? Head To Auburn Saturday Night
by Jay Coulter on Sep 17, 2008 3:00 AM CDT
in Football
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He's coming to your city.
If you want the most entertainment value for your money, you'll buy a ticket to this weekend's Auburn-LSU contest. Dollar for dollar it doesn't get any better than this game. Go online to StubHub.com and buy that ticket. Spend $200. You'll thank me later.
Chances are something will burn down; the earth will move; or a quarterback will throw five interceptions in the fourth quarter and give the game away. For importance and sheer excitement, there's no other rivalry in the land that can touch it.
Auburn fans just thought the Tennessee and Florida series were exciting. Trading those two for LSU now looks like a bargain. Eleven of the last 18 games have been decided by a touchdown or less, including the last four in a row.
The good news for Auburn fans is that three points may be enough to win on Saturday if history is any indication. The Auburn offense has produced just 17 points in its last two wins over LSU - combined. Friday marks the 10th anniversary of LSU's last win at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
With a new quarterback at the helm for the Purple Tigers and Auburn's obvious struggles offensively, it's not far fetched to believe that neither team will reach double digits. It could be the second half before we see any scoring at all. Auburn has yet to give up a point in the first half this season.
Did any of us believe we'd be sitting here today talking about how much better Auburn's defense is this season compared to last year's? How's this for a stat? Auburn leads the nation in opponents' third-down conversion percentage, surrendering just three first downs in 46 attempts (6.5 percent). Furthermore, the Tigers ranks third nationally in scoring defense (5.0), ninth in rushing defense (53.0) and 10th in total defense (213.7).
The bad news: LSU's defense is every bit as good. They rank fifth nationally in rushing defense and 10th nationally in scoring defense. Like Auburn, they have hardly looked back since losing defensive coordinator Bo Pelini to Nebraska last year.
LSU enters the game an early three point favorite. This means odds makers generally believe the Bengals are a touchdown better (when you subtract home field advantage). But does anyone really know? LSU has yet to play anybody and they are lead by a quarterback that is better known for the last school he attended (Harvard) than for his athletic ability. I guess the same could be said for Auburn and Chris Todd.
What we do know is that fans will see the class of the SEC Saturday night. Auburn has the best record in the SEC against conference foes this century with a 48-17 mark. LSU ranks second with a 47-17 record.
Now would somebody please pass the corn dogs?
I want to wish my daughter, Caroline, a happy 13th birthday. She was born the day Auburn lost to LSU 12-6 in 1995 - something I've never let her forget. However, she redeemed herself two years ago on her birthday when Auburn beat the Bayou Bengals 7-3. Happy Birthday Caroline. I love you!
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Very funny Picture.
I am very interested to see which team has better QB’s. Lee and Hatch are not consistent at all in their first two games. And Burns and Todd have not exactly been the definition of stability.
I wonder if either coach will come out w/ more pass heavy attack b/c each knows the other is game-planning to stop the run.
Some other questions I am looking forward to seeing answers for are:
1.) What tricks does Miles have up his sleeve? (not going for it on 4th?)
2.) What tricks does Tubby have up his sleeve? (kickoff play…?)
3.) What impact Burns’ running ability has on the game?
4.) Is the LSU running game able to move the ball on Aub’s D?
This century starting in 2000 or in 2001??
Jonno, after this game, are we going to lose your readership? Hopefully not…
Jay, just get Caroline another meeting with Brandon Cox. It beats a new cell phone, right?
Les sez: I like Bryan Corndogs and so does the rest of the team. Nothing hits the spot better after 2 a-days than Bryan…
by War Eagle Atlanta on Sep 17, 2008 10:03 AM CDT reply actions
LSU vs. AU
Why LSU might win:
1) Our best running QB, is also our best game manager. (Hatch)
2) Our running game has looked better than AU’s thus far.
3) All of our starters on offense have been in Crowton’s system for over a year, and likely have more of a play book to pull from on offense.
4) LSU has the advantage on both line match-ups.
5) LSU and everyone around the program is focused on this week’s game.
6) Miles can accomplish something Saban never did at LSU. Win at Auburn. He knows it, and he wants the “W”.
7) If LSU doesn’t score in the first half, big deal, AU has a good defense, if AU doesn’t score in the first half, frustration could mount, players could lose focus, and boo’s might be heard from the stands.
Why Auburn might win:
1) Tony Franklin likely hasn’t unleashed much of the play book, and could catch LSU off guard.
2) Auburn was put in many pressure situations in the Miss St. game and won the game. LSU has not been tested mentally in any phase of the game thus far this year.
3) In defensive struggles, field position is important. Auburn’s punter is FAR superior to LSU’s punter. Auburn’s punter single handedly won the 2006 game.
4) If Auburn has incorporated a power running formation for this game, LSU will be starting 3 new LB’s who haven’t seen a power running formation yet this year.
5) Home field advantage.
6) LSU’s best strategical advantage in this game, was playing Troy in week two. That didn’t happen.
Prediction: LSU 17 – Auburn 6
17-6?
I don’t think the score will be that high. Not sure who is gonna win this game but doubt it will be that high of a score. As its been stated, We don’t know enough about LSU because they haven’t been tested yet. North Texas and Appy-State are not good enough indicators. I do however feel that 17-6 is a bit of a stretch in the score though. I’m also not sure that LSU has the advantage on both the line match-ups. Considering how our front seven has been playing on defense. But we shall see……
Let me clarify point 5 on reasons LSU might win...
5) LSU and everyone around the program is focused on this week’s game.
This would be contrary to what is surrounding the Auburn program this week, being asked constantly about last week’s game.
It's really hard to say definitive anything about LSU
They’ve played Appy St. and North Texas. Neither of those teams are any good, so it’s difficult to tell exactly what LSU has. We haven’t played great teams, but I think ULM, USM, and Miss St. would all beat both of those teams. It will be interesting to say the least, but I don’t feel at all confident about the game.
War Damn Eagle!
by PowerOfDixieland on Sep 17, 2008 10:34 AM CDT reply actions
I was reading about the corndogs
and how they were trying to figure out how to carpool up to The Lovelliest Village so they could save gas. I attached a link to the article below.
People from Louisiana scare me:
C'mon Jonno you know most of us enjoy your presence here
Even if some of us do give you some vitriolic exchange now and again. Your comments are not comparable to the idiotic bammer statements. And despite what some say I have had a blast tailgating in Red Stick before and after the games.
You have some valid points about why each team should win, however I will take exception to the one about LSU dominating the line on both sides of the ball. If anything I believe it is a draw with our D-line and should be a draw at worst with our O-line if they can find last seasons chemistry once more.
Also, smelling corndogs makes me think of carnivals and I like carnivals.
You...
…ran away after freshman year to join the carnival, right, Todd? That’s why you were on the 10 year program? Few know that Land-Grant schools like Auburn offer degrees in the amusement arts…
I minored in Ferris Wheel…
:-)
by War Eagle Atlanta on Sep 17, 2008 3:08 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually I majored in....
drunken skirt chasing, carnivals were just one of the many minors. And in a perfect world I would still be there gettin a Phd in drunken skirt chasing.
OT: Vanderbilt - Auburn on CBS?
Thought you guys might find this interesting:
http://vanderbilt.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=1952&tid=115879982&mid=115879982&sid=1087&style=2
Well, that's good news...
It gives me an extra 3.5 hours to sleep in to make kickoff in Music city. That noon (God’s time) start time was a deal breaker…
You Vandy guys wouldn’t kid a fella, would you?
by War Eagle Atlanta on Sep 17, 2008 5:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Believe it when I see it
Although that’s exciting! I’m very happy for you guys, I’ve long thought Bobby Johnson to be a great coach, and he is supremely underrated in my book. I mean, I hope we put up half a hundred on you, but I wish nothing but the best for Vanderbilt in all other games.
War Damn Eagle!
by PowerOfDixieland on Sep 17, 2008 5:40 PM CDT up reply actions
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