SEC undefeated teams do battle
Saturday October 22 has two undefeated teams doing battle for South Eastern Conference (SEC) supremacy. The sixth ranked Louisiana State University (LSU) Tigers crawl into Auburn, Alabama to do business with the fourth ranked Auburn University (AU) Tigers.
Previous LSU Game
LSU is still trying to find its team identity after a win last week over the unranked McNeese State Cowboys, 32-10. Still using the two-quarterback system, the team offence has not quite got the spark it so desperately needs to contend with the likes of
the Bowl Championship Series (BCS) top ranked teams.
"I see us throw the ball well in practice," head coach Les Miles said Monday. "It just needs to show up in the game."
Quite the understatement as both quarterbacks, Jordan Jefferson and Jarred Lee, have only thrown for 983 yards between them, which includes only four touchdowns and eight interceptions. Not the stellar numbers someone would expect from a top 10 team. The
only positive to take from this struggling offence is the work of Running back (RB) Stevan Ridley who is getting 15 or more touches a game and has a total of 686 yards so far this season.
Previous Auburn Game
Last weekend had Auburn dismantle the Arkansas Razorbacks defence for a whopping 65 point performance. Very impressive for junior quarterback Cameron Newton who has thrown for 1,278 yards and 13 touchdowns so far this season, and finds himself in an early
Heisman trophy race. Despite the differences between the two teams on offence, Auburn Coach Gene Gizik won’t underestimate LSU’s possible potent offence.
"They are very talented offensively," Chizik said. "They are very physical up front. The running game is what's being extremely productive for them right now, not that their throwing game is not productive. They just seem to be really running the ball well."
While the ground game for LSU may have them ranked 33rd in the nation, their lack of passing may turn them into a one-trick pony, which is easily defended against. The platoon of both quarterbacks means no starter will be named, which may create controversy
between teammates when it comes down to stretch time.
"A change in the order doesn't matter at this point. Both quarterbacks are going to play," Miles said. "We need both quarterbacks' skill sets. I watched a tape where we scored 31 points against Auburn last year with No. 9 (Jefferson) the quarterback the whole
day.
"Two years ago at Auburn, No. 12 (Lee) was the quarterback when we won. Both guys are benefiting from the system. They understand their roles. Both are responsible to the game plan. It's a healthy situation.”
The winner of this weekend’s game will be the only undefeated team in the South Eastern Conference and a clear favourite to finish at the top of the highly competitive conference.
Up Next
Following this weekend’s match-up, Auburn will be on the road to Oxford, Mississippi to battle the Ole Mississippi Rebels.
Louisiana State will be in a fight next weekend with a conference rival in the Alabama Crimson Tide who is currently ranked eighth in the nation with a record of 6-1.
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