Fetch Football Forum: Tigers Tangle in Death Valley

Opinion, Team FYN Sports

One of the best SEC West matchups of the last decade is set to be played on Saturday, as the Auburn Tigers travel to Baton Rouge to take on the #2 LSU Tigers.

While this game has had a history of being played between two of the best teams in all of the FBS, this year’s matchup is a little bit different, as the traveling Tigers are sitting at 1-2 and will be fresh off a 31-28 victory over the UL-Monroe Warhawks. Meanwhile, the home Tigers are sitting pretty at 3-0 and are poised to make another championship run.
History: These two teams have faced off forty-four times since they first played in 1902 with the LSU Tigers leading the overall series 25-18. The Bayou Bengals have dominated the recent matchups as well, as they hold a 5-2 record over Auburn since 2004.

Location: Tiger Stadium (92,400 capacity)

Key Matchup: LSU RBs vs Auburn D-Line. The Bayou Bengals have been excellent when it comes to running the ball so far this year, as they rank 13th in the nation with an average of 269.33 yards per game. Meanwhile, Auburn has had a significant amount of trouble stopping the run in defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder’s first season, as they are currently 107th out of 120 teams with 217 yards allowed. If Auburn is going to have any chance at winning this game, they will have to step up in a big way when it comes to shutting down the LSU stable of backs.

Key Player: Kiehl Frazier, Auburn QB. You can’t help feel bad for Frazier so far this year—well, maybe Alabama fans would disagree. Frazier has been nothing short of terrible through three games, as he two touchdowns compared to five interceptions and boasts his 194 passing yards in the season opening loss against Clemson as his season-high. Despite the absence of Tyrann “Honey Badger” Mathieu, these LSU defensive backs are among the best in the nation, as they have already racked up six interceptions. If Frazier doesn’t play his best game of the season, things could get ugly fast.

Game Prediction: Unfortunately for the proud War Eagle fanbase, this game is over practically before it even starts. Auburn quarterback Kiehl Frazier has an awful start to this one, as the team’s first drive ends when Frazier scrambles for a first down in LSU territory and proceeds to fumble the ball. LSU recovers and quickly puts together a 4-play, 63 yard drive that ends with a 27 yard touchdown pass from Zach Mettenberger to Odell Beckham. LSU then holds Auburn to a quick three-and-out, which sets up another scoring drive for the home Tigers, this one via a 10 yard run by Spencer Ware. The next two drives mirror this, and before you know it the rout is on.

Final Stats Prediction

Passing: Zach Mettenberger has another good game for LSU, completing 21 of his 27 passes for 229 yards along with 3 TDs and no interceptions.

Clint Moseley, who replaces Frazier in the third quarter of play, ends the game with 7 completions on 19 attempts for 69 yards and 1 touchdown.

Rushing: Spencer Ware leads the way for LSU as far as the ground game goes, as he takes 18 carries for 138 yards and 1 touchdown.

Onterio McCalebb struggles to make any noise in this matchup, as he finishes with 14 carries and just 47 yards.

Receiving: Odell Beckham does his part in this game, bringing down 8 catches for 81 yards and 1 touchdown.

Despite the issues at quarterback, Travante Stallworth makes the most out of his opportunites, as he racks up 69 yards on 9 receptions and Auburn’s only touchdown of the game.

FINAL SCORE LSU 38 Auburn 13

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