LSU vs. Auburn football game preview, prediction
Yet to win a game against SEC opposition under first-year head coach Hugh Freeze, now Auburn hits the road against defending division champion, No. 22 ranked LSU in college football's Week 7 action on Saturday.
Auburn is 0-2 in SEC play after losses to Texas A&M and a close one against rival Georgia two weeks ago, and hopes to improve its passing attack which averages just 156 yards in the air per game this season.
LSU is already at two losses through its six games, and boasts an offense that averages over 500 yards per game. But can Brian Kelly's team tighten up its secondary defenses after some tough outings? A win here puts LSU squarely in the SEC West title race going forward with the Alabama game coming up in two weeks' time.
LSU vs. Auburn preview, prediction
LSU vs. Auburn game predictions
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How to watch
When: Sat., Oct. 14
Time: 6 p.m. Central
TV: ESPN network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)
LSU vs. Auburn game odds
Courtesy of SI Sportsbook
Line: LSU -10.5
Total: 59.5 points
Moneyline: LSU -450 | AUB +300
FPI pick: LSU 75.8% to win
What to watch for
1. Battle at the line. LSU personnel herald Auburn's line play as some of the most physical in the SEC, and with good reason. To preserve its success on offense, LSU will have to match the intensity of Auburn's front seven, a unit that so far has combined for 30 tackles for loss and 10 sacks while notching 18 hits on opposing quarterbacks.
2. Turnover chances. Auburn has struggled to protect its quarterbacks, which has thrown the offense out of rhythm, and allowed opponents room to generate takeaways, fumbling 7 times and throwing 4 interceptions so far. Last week's win at Missouri showed LSU can create and capitalize on turnovers, and this game is a chance for the front seven to ramp up the physicality and harass Auburn into mistakes.
3. Auburn can play D, too. While their attack is one-dimensional and sluggish, the Tigers' defense is great at getting to the football. Overall, the unit ranks 2nd in the SEC with 10 forced turnovers from opponents, and cornerback Jaylin Simpson is 1st nationally with four intercepted passes. Daniels and his receivers will go up against a coverage rotation that can get its hands on the ball.
LSU vs. Auburn prediction
Even with how poorly LSU's second-level defenders have closed down throwing lanes, Auburn shouldn't pose too great a threat moving the ball in the air. It'll run the ball first and often, and can scratch together key yards with mobile quarterback Robby Ashford getting snaps here and there.
Jayden Daniels may struggle finding his receivers open against Auburn's decent coverage early on, but Auburn's one-dimensional attack will eventually slow down in the face of LSU's front line defense and give Daniels and his targets more chances to put points on the board.
- LSU wins 38-27
- Covers the spread
- And hits the over
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