LSU's excellent game plan stood out above all other things after a win to open Southeastern Conference play, but the Tiger Bowl is going to be where we find out how sharp those teeth really are.
A lot of the concerns over quarterback Max Johnson and the LSU offense's slow start were lessened with a pair of highlight-filled victories. Can the Tigers keep it rolling against an always-tough Auburn defense?
THE GAME
22 Auburn (3-1; 0-0 SEC) at LSU (3-1; 1-0 SEC)
Where: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
When: 8 p.m. (CST)
TV: ESPN
Listen: WWL AM-870; FM-105.3
Here are the top 3 things I'm watching for in this year's Tiger Bowl.
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1. CAN MAX KEEP UP THE PACE?
With all due respect to the SEC programs in Mississippi, it's the teams in Alabama that offer the best litmus test for whether a program is ready to make noise in the conference.
Max Johnson has proven more than capable on shot plays, becoming the first Tigers passer in more than two decades to complete four touchdowns of 40 yards or more in a game. Over the last two games he's thrown for 652 yards and 9 touchdowns, navigated pressure well and helped ease the concerns over a subdued start to the season.
Still, he's battled questionable pass protection and an ineffective running game, leading to a very boom-or-bust attack. LSU was unable to possess the ball to salt the game away against Mississippi State, which meant the defense was left on the field for 88 snaps compared to just 54 for LSU.
Johnson will look to keep up the impressive downfield attack -- coach Ed Orgeron said he likes to take two shot plays per quarter -- but he'll also have to improve in the short to intermediate passing game. That production is key to extending drives and something that's been missing thus far. Some production in the running game would also help.
For some historical perspective: Up until the 2019 season, the LSU record for quarterback passes in a season was 28. Joe Burrow put up an absurd total of 60 in his Heisman campaign.
Johnson has thrown 15 through four games, putting him on pace to move into No. 2 on LSU's all-time list by the end of the month. Don't be fooled: What he's done to start his -- and I can't stress this enough -- sophomore season is anything but normal.
If Johnson can take that next step, this offense could really be something.
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2. TJ FINLEY REVENGE GAME?
Auburn has a lot more questions left to answer than LSU after nearly suffering a stunning upset to Georgia State a week ago.
One of those questions is at its most important position: Will it be newcomer TJ Finley or veteran Bo Nix under center when Auburn runs out onto the field at Tiger Stadium?
It was Nix who came into the year as the entrenched starter, but Finley who led a gritty, 92-yard scoring drive late in the fourth quarter to avoid calamity. The touchdown pass came on a broken play, with Finley running for his life on 4th down before somehow spotting Shedrick Jackson in the end zone and slinging the ball in. Auburn returned an interception for a touchdown on the ensuing drive for a 34-24 win that was anything but comfortable.
Finley won't catch anyone by surprise in Baton Rouge. The Ponchatoula native started multiple games for LSU last season, including in a loss to Auburn. He transferred in the offseason with Johnson and Myles Brennan separating themselves in a four-way competition for the starting job.
Auburn coach Bryan Harsin still hadn't committed to a starter as of Friday, and that's the smart thing to do. LSU has faced Nix. LSU has coached Finley. The advantage for Auburn is LSU has to prepare for both. No use in sacrificing that until absolutely necessary.
But if it's Finley, it'll be yet another incredible QB dynamic to watch in a season that's already featured a father-son matchup. That said, it should probably be Nix -- considering he led Auburn to a 48-11 victory over a Finley-led Tigers squad last season. It'd be fair to say he's comfortable in the matchup.
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3. CAN THE BACK END HOLD UP?
LSU has a future top NFL draft pick in Derek Stingley Jr. and there's really no debate. But does it have enough behind him to win a tough SEC game?
Cordale Flott gave an early answer to that question, forcing a pair of early turnovers against Mississippi State that set the tone the rest of the day. Can the group of he, Jay Ward, Dwight McGlothern and Eli Ricks slow down the offense that hung 48 on them a year ago?
This group appears to have ironed out a lot of the communication breakdowns that plagued that 2020 season. The coaching staff also flexed a bit last week, installing an entirely new defensive scheme exclusively to stop the air raid. But what happens this week, with a less predictable attack and an established running game?
Auburn's Tank Bigsby has averaged 6.2 yards per carry as he's rumbled to 403 yards on the year, while Jarquez Hunter has been the home run threat, with 382 yards on 29 fewer carries. If LSU can shut down the ground game, Auburn has three players (Kobe Hudson, Shedrick Jackson and John Samuel Shenker) who have caught 13 balls apiece. Wide receiver Demetris Robertson isn't far behind with 11 grabs.
Auburn has the ability to establish the run. If it can do that and draw in more run support from the second level, LSU's defensive backs could get stretched thin quickly. LSU has the weaponry to win a shootout. That doesn't mean they want to be in one.
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LAGNIAPPE: The crowd at Tiger Stadium has felt a bit subdued through the first few home games. Is the Tiger Bowl enough to get things rocking? Maybe it's been about the opponents (McNeese State and Central Michigan). Maybe the fans just aren't sure whether to believe their eyes. Maybe it's time to let the band play 'Neck.' ... Whatever it is, Death Valley needs to be an advantage to help fuel LSU throughout its SEC schedule. The first chance comes this week.