LSU Football: Three Auburn Players to Watch in Week 7 Matchup

The Bayou Bengals look to carry their momentum from Week 6 into their Auburn contest.

No. 22 LSU will lace up their cleats in Tiger Stadium after back-to-back away contests with the Auburn Tigers heading to town for a primetime Week 7 showdown.

For the Bayou Bengals, the defense will be preparing for a complex Auburn offense, but it’s a chance for this program to break out of its shell on that side of the ball.

Who must LSU account for? Who are the weapons?

Three Auburn Players to Monitor:

Payton Thorne: Quarterback

Auburn has utilized two signal-callers this season with Michigan State transfer Payton Thorne handling significant snaps as the starter through the first half of the season. This program has struggled through the air with Thorne throwing just 643 yards on 59 completions with a 62% completion percentage.

It’s no secret LSU has been abysmal against opponents’ passing attacks, but when it comes to Auburn, it could be a coming out party. Thorne has thrown just four touchdown passes with four interceptions. No passing attack. No receiver with over 200 yards on the season. This is an opportunity for the Tigers to break out of their shell.

The second quarterback: Robby Ashford. Ashford is put in the game as a rushing threat in head coach Hugh Freeze’s scheme. He’s thrown just 18 passes with 8 completions and 71 yards. On the ground? It’s a different story. Ashford has carried the football 27 times for 134 yards and five touchdowns.

The Bayou Bengals will have to account for both signal-callers with Thorne carrying much of the load. In watching the film, it’s evident Auburn uses Thorne in the RPO scheme on several occasions. The defense must remain on their toes at all times.

Jaylin Simpson: Cornerback

The savvy veteran has been a standout for this Auburn defense through five games. Simpson has already reeled in four interceptions on his way to a career year for the Tigers, but he’s been impactful in several other areas.

The senior defensive back is electric. He’s a heavy hitter with soft hands that have allowed him to secure his four picks, returning one for a touchdown already.

Jayden Daniels has proven to take more risks this season, which is a piece of his game many were hoping to see, but he’ll have to monitor Simpson through four quarters to make sure he doesn’t come up with a game changing interception.

The Rushing “Attack”

Auburn doesn’t have one rushing threat that steals the show, but there are a few weapons that can be utilized well. Their passing offense ranks No. 121 in the country, which prompts them to rely on a run-heavy scheme.

It’s evident quarterback Robby Ashford is thrown in the fire to be a rushing threat, but at the running back position it’s been Jaquez Hunter carrying the load.

The Auburn offense is a confusing one. Both quarterbacks (Thorne and Ashford) account for 33% of the rushing yards. Thorne has been a threat in the RPO game and Ashford is a guy who’s put in to make highlight plays with his legs.

Aside from the quarterback duo, Hunter is the leading rusher with 202 yards on the ground. LSU will have to know the personnel on Saturday in Tiger Stadium with Auburn’s ability to throw a variation of players into the mix.