Regardless of their struggles they always play LSU hard. Auburn looked completely unmotivated at times versus Jacksonville State-that shouldn’t be a problem this week against LSU. ESPN’s FPI whatever says LSU has an 85% chance of beating AU. The Tigers have enough talent at the position to see consistent results from each player. There is no question that USC is the better team, but all has been right for the Trojans lately. Still, all the key matchups in this one favor LSU. A bummer if you like points, sure, but a good time otherwise. – Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze when asked what it would mean if the Rebels defeated Alabama for the second consecutive season. Tech vs. Notre Dame.
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The Owls play at UMass this weekend and follow with Football Bowl Subdivision newcomer Charlotte; Tulane; winless Central Florida and East Carolina (minus its starting quarterback) before running into Notre Dame, a game that also will be played at Lincoln Financial Field. End Tashawn Bower and tackle Christian LaCouture each recorded one quarterback-hurry. His first was last season against Auburn.
“Coach “O” gives us more freedom”, said Bower, who also made his first career start last Saturday. He was terrible and quickly pulled, and his team would proceed to be beaten down, thoroughly. Many predicted that the 6-foot-5, 240-pound quarterback would have similar qualities to Cam Newton, the last Auburn QB to win a national championship and a Heisman Trophy.
Harris felt good about his composure in a “really, really loud” stadium at Mississippi State. Receiver Ricardo Louis has 13 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown, along with 5 carries for 24 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Playing down to competition is not exclusive to Auburn, and the Tigers are much better than they looked last week.
2Auburn’s run game.
Auburn is coached by Gus Malzahn. In the AP poll alone, Auburn dropped an astounding 12 spots.
After his start against Haughton in 2011 – he passed for just 77 yards that game – Harris didn’t start again until the next season, his junior year. Under Miles, LSU traditionally has run a similar offense – until now. Auburn has forced three turnovers but has six giveaways this season.
“It’s football”, said Johnson.
“It’s tough on him”, Malzahn said. Johnson is tied with Johnny McCrary for the most picks thrown in the SEC.
4Blown out of proportion pre-game smack talk.
Player Who Matters While the spotlight will be on Leonard Fournette after his terrific game against Mississippi State, this is when the LSU receiving corps has to show up.
Offensively, Johnson has been intercepted five times and has been a nonfactor running the ball in an offense that’s been at its best with a dual-threat quarterback. “… With the tight coverage that we play, we’re looking forward to him giving us a few”. Of course, no one has been up in arms over that quote, though. It’s going to be a big, physical game. The victor has won the SEC West three times in the last five years. It’s early yes, and a loss for either team will be just its first in-conference stumble, sure. “He’s one of our team leaders, too”. Though Harris’ arm is still unproven, AU will have to prove itself that it can stop the run, and its Adams who’ll have to spearhead such an effort. Brandon Harris is completing 64.3 percent of his passes for 71 yards, zero touchdowns and zero interceptions. Johnson did fine stepping in for Nick Marshall last season, why not try the same scheme? Both teams are ranked in the top 20.
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LSU’s defense, likewise, plans to bounce back.
