The Daily Reveille is teaming up with several student beat writers around the country to preview LSU’s upcoming matchups. This week we spoke to The Auburn Plainsman Sports Editor Will Gaines, who gave us his views on the game.
Auburn almost beat LSU last season with Kiehl Frazier back at quarterback. This year it’s Nick Marshall. What does he bring to the table Frazier didn’t, and is he capable of making a run at LSU?
Nick Marshall brings a lot of things Frazier did not last season. The most obvious is his athletic ability and arm strength, but he also seems to be a much more confident quarterback than Frazier was. He showed some big improvements last week against Mississippi State, and if he continues this trend then he could have a nice game on Saturday night. Most Auburn fans are still concerned about his 20 turnovers last season at Garden City Community College, and playing against a defense like LSU makes them very concerned.
In his first season Malzahn has already won as many games as Auburn won in 2012 under Gene Chizik. What’s the main difference between Malzahn’s 2013 team and last season?
So far the main difference has been the team’s ability to continue to fight until the game is finished. Last year’s team would already have two losses, because they would have quit against Washington State and Mississippi State when they faced adversity. A lot of credit for this needs to be given to new strength and conditioning coach Ryan Russell, but Malzahn and the rest of the coaching staff deserve credit also.
We know Malzahn likes to run the hurry-up offense, but how will this offense attack LSU and how much of the zone-read option can we expect to see on Saturday?
Auburn possibly has the best stable of running backs they have had in recent years in Tre Mason, Corey Grant and Cameron Artis-Payne. A big reason why they are so good is because they all bring something different to the table. Grant has great speed, Artis-Payne is good between the tackles and Mason can do both. Malzahn will do everything he can to utilize these backs as much as possible to keep the LSU defense guessing. Then you add Marshall’s ability to run the zone-read option and it makes for a very dangerous running game.
With LSU making drastic improvements to the passing game this season and running back Jeremy Hill returning to the backfield, who does the Auburn defense focus on this weekend?
The passing game is the focal point for defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson. He said on Sunday Mettenberger is much improved throwing the football, and defending the pass has been a problem for the Auburn defense so far this season. If Auburn wants to win this weekend they will have to force turnovers in the secondary. They showed this ability against Washington State when Robenson Therezie picked off two passes. Also putting pressure on Mettenberger will be critical to Auburn being able to force turnovers. Defensive end Dee Ford will back from injury this week, but it’s unclear right now if he is 100 percent. If he is able to play up to his ability then he could cause problems for LSU
Prediction?
I think Auburn will be looking to gain some SEC respect back this week and will play extremely hard, but in the end Auburn is not good enough to beat a team like LSU in Death Valley on Saturday night. If the running game can be effective, and Marshall can hit some deep balls, then Auburn has a chance. The game should remain close for most of the game, but I think LSU pulls away to a 35-21 victory.