By Andrew Edwards
Staff Writer
In the best ranked matchup of the weekend, Auburn will travel to Death Valley to take on the LSU Tigers in a pivotal SEC west showdown.
Auburn (6-1) and ranked number nine in the AP poll, has a chance to make a statement on Saturday. After falling to Florida several weeks ago, Gus Malzhan’s squad has a chance to finished the season by facing three top-ten teams. If AU were to win all three, it would all but surely secure them a spot in the college football playoff, barring a loss in the SEC championship.
The chances of that happening are slim, to say the least. But with an upset over LSU this weekend, Auburn could be looking at another 2017 type situation where they had an extraordinary amount of momentum heading into the Georgia and Alabama game.
The LSU Tigers (7-0) and ranked number two, are coming into this game with potentially the most lethal offense in the whole county. The surprising part for most fans is that most of those yards are coming through the air. LSU currently has the second most passing yards per game in the country, and will face an Auburn Secondary that most would consider the weakest part of their defense.
Key Matchup: Joe Burrow vs Auburn Secondary
As of now, LSU QB Joe Burrow is probably the Heisman favorite. He’s been absolutely incredible this season, completing an astonishing 79.4 percent of all passes for 2,484 yards and 29 touchdowns. Auburn’s D-Line will show up like they always do and disrupt the LSU QB, but can the secondary make some plays and force interceptions.
Player to Watch: Auburn DT Derrick Brown
Derrick Brown has been an absolute force for the Auburn D-Line this season, with 15 tackles, three QB sacks and two forced fumbles. Look to see if Brown can get to the LSU QB and force some turnovers.
