LSU Week 5 Preview: Auburn
LSU (3-1) will get its first true road test of the 2022 season this weekend as they will travel east to take on Auburn (3-1). After a dominating 38-0 win over New Mexico in Tiger Stadium, the Tigers will look to end their two-game losing skid over Auburn.
LSU @ Auburn Game Information:
Current Records: LSU (3-1) @ Auburn (3-1)
Date/Time: October 1st @ 6 p.m. CT
Where: Jordan Hare Stadium; Auburn, AL
Where to Watch: (Commentators: Play-By-Play Joe Tessitore, Analyst Greg McElroy, Reporter Katie George)
Spread: LSU (-9.0)
LSU vs. Auburn Series History:
LSU leads the all time series against Auburn, 31-24-1. Auburn has won the previous two meetings against LSU. In 2021, Auburn won their first game in Tiger Stadium since the 1999 season, 24-19. The last time the two teams met in Jordan Hare Stadium, Auburn dominated the game, 48-11.
Previewing LSU Heading into Week Five:
LSU will be looking to improve their conference record to 2-0. They will look to snap a two-game losing skid to Auburn. The Tigers were able to get a shutout victory at home against New Mexico, 38-0, to close out a three-game home stretch.
The trip to Jordan Hare Stadium will be the first true road test for the Tigers as they opened the season in New Orleans and spent the last three weeks of the season at home.
The offense for the Tigers last Saturday relied heavily on the run game as Noah Cain was the leading rusher for LSU. Jayden Daniels left the game in the third quarter with a lower back injury. Armoni Goodwin also left the game with an injury and was listed as day-to day- Brian Kelly spoke on the status of both Daniels and Goodwin heading into Saturday’s matchup against Auburn:
“Jayden [Daniels] is feeling no residual effects from Saturday. He’ll be able to practice.” Armoni [Goodwin] is a day-to-day situation.”
LSU’s offense will be getting back Kayson Boutte this weekend as he was absent for the birth of his child. Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers stepped up against New Mexico with the absence of Boutte.
LSU Will Be Without Garrett Dellinger and Major Burns:
The offensive line for the purple and gold will be down a man as Garrett Dellinger is doubtful for this weekend’s game due to a hand injury. Coach Kelly spoke on Dellinger’s status:
“It appears as though it’s going to be tight for him to make the game. At first, we thought we could get him ready, but there was a screw and a plate that needed to go in there. Right now as we’re talking, I’d say he’s doubtful for Saturday.”
The LSU defense shined on Saturday night against New Mexico. They only allowed 88 total yards of offense and earned a shutout. The defense will be adding a key piece to the secondary with the debut of Joe Foucha in a LSU uniform.
The Tiger defense was able to step up with the absence of B.J. Ojulari and Jay Ward against the Lobos. It is expected that Ojulari and Ward will be ready to go this weekend when LSU takes on Auburn. The Tiger defense will be missing a key cornerback as Major Burns will be out the next three to six weeks.
Scouting LSU’s Opponent: Auburn
Auburn was able to bounce back at home with a win against Missouri to open up conference play, 17-14. T.J. Finley was ruled out of the game against Missouri, so that gave way to Robby Ashford. Ashford did exit the game, but he is expect to be ready to game against LSU. Ashford spoke on how he felt after the game:
“It was just a fall. I should hopefully be good. I’m not thinking it’s anything too bad. I don’t really feel bad or banged up. It was just kind of the in the moment. Y’all saw I got right back out there. It was just in the moment I felt a little stinger.”
Auburn’s offense had trouble finding any sort of rhythm against Missouri’s defense as they had to punt it away five times to open up the second half. They were able to survive in overtime as Nathaniel Peat fumbled into the endzone as Auburn escaped with their first SEC victory of the 2022 season.
The defense was a bright spot for Auburn, especially the presence on Derick Hall in that game. Hall was able to give the Auburn defense their first turnover of the season.
Auburn will be out with one of their key offensive lineman heading into the matchup against LSU. Tate Johnson is expected to miss six to eight weeks with an elbow injury that will require surgery. Auburn’s offense already lost their starting center earlier in the season. Now they will have to do more shuffling with their starting rotation.
Prediction for LSU @ Auburn:
The line coming into this matchup between the two teams favor the purple and gold at (-9). LSU has the advantage on in the quarterback department as Jayden Daniels has shown that he is both effective in the passing game and in the running game. If Auburn were to go with Robby Ashford as the starting quarterback LSU’s defense will have to monitor his capability to use his legs to extend plays.
The key for LSU to win this game will be to have an effective running game with John Emery and Noah Cain leading the way. In their win against Mississippi State, the purple and gold was able to dominate the line of scrimmage in the second half. With the loss of Dellinger, LSU will have to mix around their rotation and they will be tested against a talented Auburn defensive front.
This will be LSU’s first true road test of the season. The ‘Tiger Bowl’ always seems to come down to the fourth quarter and will be a defensive battle. LSU’s defense will have to swarm Auburn’s running attack led by Tank Bigsby to have their best chance to come out with their fourth win in a row.
Prediction: LSU 26, Auburn 20
Photo Credit - Yahoo Sports & 247Sports
Tyler Eschette - Sports Scramble/ CFB C2C/ Olde City Sports Network
