Tiger Watch: Five LSU players to watch vs No. 9 Auburn

All eyes on Terrace Marshall in star receiver’s return

The LSU-Auburn rivalry has been in peak form in recent years. In each of the last three years neither team has won by more than five points with  LSU's thrilling 22-21 victory in 2018 being the latest to captivate Tiger fans on both sides.

In 2019, the stakes feel even higher as No. 2 LSU continues its quest for perfection while No. 9 Auburn is trying to claw its way to the top of the standings. It's a monumental point in the 2019 season. Here are a few LSU players to keep a close eye on Saturday afternoon.

Terrace Marshall (sophomore receiver) 

The long awaited return of LSU's trio of star receivers seems likely this week as coach Ed Orgeron confirmed Wednesday that sophomore receiver Terrace Marshall will suit up and play against Auburn. 

Marshall's return couldn't come at a better time for the LSU offense as his redzone presence alone should help the team be more efficient than last week's 36-13 win over Mississippi State. Marshall, before being injured in the Vanderbilt game, was on his way to a historic season for the purple and gold, hauling in 20 catches for 304 yards and six touchdowns.

On the field, it's his chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow that sets the tandem apart.

"I do believe that they feel each other when they're running the routes," Orgeron said Wednesday. "You can see that obviously with the success we had and it gives us three big time receivers to go out and give us a fresh pair of legs."

Thaddeus Moss (senior tight end)

It hasn't always been easy on the senior Moss, who combined for just three catches in his first three games as a healthy member of the LSU tight end unit. Moss caught his first touchdown in the season-opening win over Northwestern State but that was really the only highlight he had to hang his hat on through three weeks. 

The last three games have been a different story.

Moss has brought in 11 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown over the last three weeks, having no fewer than three catches in any given game. The LSU offense is starting to utilize the tight end position more, meaning more looks for Burrow to have on a given play.

"The more we can throw to the tight end, the more it's going to open up for our wide receivers," Orgeron said Monday. "I think the tight end down the middle puts a lot of pressure on the defense of covering the tight end down the middle, especially when you have some receivers on the outside."

Orgeron said it's the leadership aspect from Moss that makes him such a vital piece to not only the offense but also the team as a whole.

"Thaddeus Moss has brought tremendous leadership to our football team," Orgeron said. "He's a young man that transferred here, didn't know anybody. I think he's made some of the most mature decisions I've ever seen in a football player. I'm very proud of him. That's why I named him team captain."

If Moss can keep up this kind of production, it will make covering the receivers on the outside nearly impossible, particularly with the return of Marshall.

Damien Lewis, Adrian Magee (right, left guard)

While the return of Marshall will surely take a ton of the attention, the matchups on the interior offensive line will be fascinating to watch unfold Saturday.

It'll be about defending Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, a player who is likely to go in the top-five of next year's NFL draft. Brown is an elite defensive lineman, one that Orgeron tried to recruit to LSU, and who has 23 tackles, three sacks and two forced fumbles in 2019.

And it'll be up to right guard Damien Lewis, left guard Adrian Magee and center Lloyd Cushenberry to stop Brown along with defensive end Marlon Davidson, who has 5.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for a loss in 2019.

On Monday, Orgeron said Auburn provides the stiffest test the LSU offensive line has faced all season. After a magnificent performance against Florida two weeks ago, the O-line stuttered against Mississippi State last weekend and will be looking for a bounce-back game Saturday.  

"The guy that is the surprise of the year to me is Adrian Magee," Orgeron said. "I said it the first week, I thought Ed was going to start. Adrian has experience, playing well there. I thought the line is the most improved group. Not playing great. They did good against Florida. They're going to get tested this week, more up the middle as you alluded to. They going to get tested."

Cade York (freshman kicker)

Last Saturday was the third straight week in which freshman Cade York struggled with his accuracy, although this time it didn't necessarily show in the box score.

York drilled all three of his field goal attempts against the Bulldogs, most of which barely slid inside the goal posts. With a long of 25 yards, that's not all too encouraging. The freshman also missed an extra point in the first half that would've put the Tigers up two scores on the Bulldogs but was unsuccessful.

Orgeron said while it's been a struggle in recent weeks for the freshman, he's been performing on the practice field and that the team still has confidence in his abilities, for now.

"I'm still going to trust him," Orgeron said. "He's our guy. But we're going to have a plan if he's not doing well, we may go for it, put the ball in his hands or Joe Burrow's hands, you know what I mean? We have options. We can go for it instead of kick a field goal, which is sometimes better."

Orgeron was also asked if the team might consider Connor Culp at kicker sometime down the line. The Tiger head coach dismissed the notion immediately, saying Culp is not ready to be the LSU kicker and the more likely solution will be to go for it on fourth down if York's struggles continue.

JaCoby Stevens (junior safety)

Stevens had a breakout performance last week against Mississippi State, totaling eight tackles, a sack and a one-handed interception that was without a doubt the most impressive play of the afternoon.

The performance earned him his first SEC Defensive Player of the Week award. But Saturday presents a new opportunity for Stevens, a chance at a potentially star-making performance. 

The former five-star recruit has been a pillar of the LSU secondary in 2019 and has embraced his new role. His pass coverage skills, which have been much maligned in the past, have continued to improve over the course of the year, all coming to a head last week against the Bulldogs.

If Stevens can string together that type of performance, it will catapult this defense to a whole new level and make a star in Stevens in the process.