For the first time in program history, LSU will play 11 a.m. games in consecutive weeks when the Tigers renew their rivalry with Auburn on Saturday.
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LSU is coming off a dominant 31-0 shutout of Mississippi State, while Auburn enters the matchup riding high after rallying from a 14-point deficit to stun previously top-ranked Georgia, 34-27, in Athens.
It’s the first meeting between the former SEC West rivals since 2023, and LSU leads the all-time series 33-24-1.
The Tigers are making their first trip to Auburn since 2022, when LSU overcame a 17-0 first-half deficit to win 21-17. Offensive guard Bo Bordelon is the only remaining player on LSU’s roster from that game.
Close games have become a trademark of this rivalry, particularly at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Eight of the 10 meetings between LSU and Auburn there since 2004 have been decided by one score, with those games decided by a combined 28 points. Six of the last eight matchups in the series have been decided by five points or fewer.
LSU enters as a touchdown favorite, but history suggests another close contest could be in store as both teams look to avoid their third loss of the season.
Here are five things to watch Saturday.
1. Can LSU contain Auburn quarterback Byrum Brown?
If LSU can contain Brown, the Tigers will have an excellent chance to win. Easier said than done.
Brown followed Auburn head coach Alex Golesh from South Florida and brings plenty of experience, making his 39th career start Saturday.
He’s the definition of a dual-threat quarterback. Brown leads all active FBS players with 11,619 career yards of total offense, including 8,895 passing yards and 2,724 rushing yards. He also leads active quarterbacks with 22 career games in which he has thrown and rushed for a touchdown.
At 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, Brown is a physical runner. He has rushed for more than 100 yards in each of Auburn’s last two games as the Tigers have increasingly relied on his legs. Against Georgia, Brown carried the ball 26 times for 115 yards while throwing for 150 yards and a touchdown.
2. LSU must finish drives in the red zone
LSU ranks seventh nationally in total offense, averaging 504 yards per game. Moving the ball hasn’t been the problem. Finishing drives has.
The Tigers have scored on 35 of their 40 red-zone trips, ranking 52nd nationally. More concerning, only 28 of those trips have resulted in touchdowns, meaning LSU has failed to score a touchdown on 12 of its 40 trips inside the 20-yard line.
The possible return of star tight end Trey’Dez Green could help LSU become more efficient near the goal line.
During Green’s absence, the Tigers have also found a productive option in Roman Mothershed, who moved to tight end. Wearing Green’s former No. 14 jersey, Mothershed has caught five passes for 77 yards and two touchdowns over the last three games.
3. Turnovers could decide the game
Georgia outgained Auburn 440-366 in total offense and committed just four penalties, but the Bulldogs still lost. A major reason was quarterback Gunner Stockton’s career-high three turnovers.
LSU must take care of the football to avoid a similar result.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt’s accuracy has improved over the past month, but he remains tied with three other quarterbacks for the FBS lead with eight interceptions.
Brown has thrown seven interceptions, so both teams have quarterbacks who have been vulnerable to mistakes.
4. Can LSU’s pass rush get to Brown?
LSU has shown it can pressure opposing quarterbacks without relying heavily on blitzes. That could be especially important against Brown, who presents a challenge with both his arm and his legs.
The Tigers rank second nationally with 27 sacks. Auburn, meanwhile, ranks near the bottom of the FBS in sacks allowed, having surrendered 23. The Tigers’ struggles along the interior of their offensive line could give LSU opportunities to disrupt Brown before he can make plays.
Edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen is a player to watch. He ranks fourth nationally with eight sacks and is expected to be available Saturday after leaving the Mississippi State game with an apparent head injury.
But Auburn has weapons in the passing game, too. Brown has developed chemistry with former South Florida teammates Keshaun Singleton and Chris Nimrod, who followed Golesh and Brown to Auburn.
Singleton has 32 catches for 367 yards and two touchdowns, while Nimrod has 31 receptions for 333 yards and three touchdowns. They became the first Auburn receiving duo in program history to record at least 30 catches apiece through the team’s first six games.
5. Can LSU finally end its road losing streak?
LSU has lost eight consecutive road games, with its last victory away from Tiger Stadium coming against Arkansas on Oct. 19, 2024.
Ending that streak will require a strong start, particularly against an Auburn offense that has struggled to generate points early in games.
The Tigers need to capitalize on Auburn’s slow starts and avoid giving the home team an early boost from the Jordan-Hare crowd.
Conference home teams have split their games, going 16-16, showing that playing at home has not necessarily provided a decisive advantage. In the Big Ten, home teams have fared even worse, posting a 13-19 record in conference games.
Still, LSU must prove it can win away from Baton Rouge. A victory at Jordan-Hare would provide a much-needed breakthrough and keep the Tigers in the hunt for a spot in the College Football Playoffs.
Prediction: LSU 28, Auburn 27
LSU hasn’t had a comfortable win at Auburn since 1998, when the Tigers prevailed 31-19. Given the history of this rivalry and Auburn’s confidence after knocking off Georgia, another tight game appears likely.
I’ll take LSU to escape Jordan-Hare Stadium with a one-point victory, 28-27.
