LSU football looked to take a step forward against Auburn, winning 48-18, and having one of its most complete games of the season.
It was LSU’s largest margin of victory over an FBS opponent this season and its largest win over Auburn since 2011. With the win, LSU improves to 5-2 and will take a brief break from Southeastern Conference play with a game against Army next week followed by a bye week.
Here are three takeaways from LSU’s 48-18 win:
LSU’s defense can be solid when it tackles well
LSU’s defense had one of its best games of the season Saturday. It held Auburn to 18 points and under 300 total yards, and showed improvement at every level of the defense.
One of the biggest improvements in the game was tackling. The number of missed tackles has gradually decreased since the loss to Ole Miss, something Brian Kelly credited to the increased emphasis put on tackling in practice.
With consistent tackling, LSU’s defense is serviceable. The defense finally looks to have found its identity scheme-wise, and when it can prevent five-yard plays from becoming 20-yard plays, LSU can get enough stops to keep its offense ahead of the curve.
LSU has taken a major step forward in third down defense
The next biggest improvement on defense over the past two weeks was third down defense. LSU only allowed Auburn to convert three of its 12 third down attempts, a week after holding Missouri to four of 11 on third down.
Getting off the field on third down was a glaring weakness for LSU throughout the early part of the season. Especially on third-and-long situations, LSU constantly got beat down the field and struggled to make tackles both in the open field and on the quarterback.
Winning third downs is key in any close game. LSU’s offense has the second highest third down conversion rate in the country. If the defense can continue to bridge that gap to just a serviceable level, LSU might have the edge in many of its big games this season.
Having a consistent third receiver makes this offense unstoppable
LSU’s offense was never questioned going into the game against Auburn, but there was some curiosity around whether LSU could find a third productive receiver alongside Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Kyren Lacy, Aaron Anderson and Chris Hilton Jr. have all played that role at times, but no one has consistently been that third option.
Against Auburn, Lacy had a breakout game and might’ve put himself into that role. He had 111 yards and a touchdown on just four catches in the game. His ability to make plays and get extra yards after the catch is his best attribute, but early in the season he struggled with drops.
He had a drop early in the game against Auburn, but Jayden Daniels kept throwing the ball to him, and when he has the ball in his hands, Lacy is dangerous in the open field. Auburn’s defense tried to take away the deep ball, which gave Lacy space over the middle throughout the game, and he took advantage of it.
If Lacy can cut down the drops, he’s another elite receiver in this LSU offense. With three elite receivers gashing a defense, LSU’s offense can go from elite to downright unstoppable.
