From a perception standpoint, LSU sophomore quarterback Brandon Harris and Auburn junior quarterback Jeremy Johnson entered 2015 on opposite ends of the spectrum.
Now, as the two go head-to-head for the 50th meeting between No. 13 LSU (1-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) and No. 18 Auburn (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday at Tiger Stadium, Johnson and Harris appear to be closer together but heading in opposite directions after the first two weeks of the college football season.
Despite each player’s path to get to this point, both have plenty to prove at a critical moment in each teams’ seasons.
For Harris, his first official home start presents a chance to right the wrongs of last season’s meltdown against Auburn, a
performance that is still vivid in his memory.
“I’ll tell you now — and I’m being honest with you — after that game I was miserable,” Harris said.
The 41-7 rout on The Plains was the first and only time Harris started for LSU in 2014, but Harris learned that execution, not talent, win games in the SEC.
Harris said much of that comes with doing the little things well and taking what the defense gives him, but LSU coach Les Miles understood Harris’ progression wouldn’t happen overnight since the last time he faced Auburn.
By now, the film from last season’s game isn’t useful for Harris because Miles’ quarterback isn’t the same player.
“It’s a constant evolution,” Miles said at the SEC teleconference. “I don’t think anybody gets it mastered. I don’t think Tom Brady would tell you that he does anything but work hard and come to work every day that he practices to improve and to know the game plan.
“On a much less professional level, Brandon Harris understands this is not about what you did yesterday or what you’re really going to do even this Saturday. It’s about accumulating knowledge and abilities that will allow him to perform at that position for quite some time.”
For Johnson, this weekend is an opportunity to prove he was truly worth the preseason billing despite tossing five interceptions in Auburn’s first two contests, including a seven-point survival against Jacksonville State at home last week.
Johnson was the heir to two-year starter Nick Marshall, already drawing Cam Newton comparisons before he was officially given the keys to Auburn’s up-tempo offense.
Unlike Harris, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn publicly announced the 6-foot-5, 240-pound gunslinger was his starter in a tweet before spring practice came to a close.
Johnson showed upside in his sporadic opportunities, including two starts, in his first two seasons, bolstering Auburn’s case as the preseason pick to win the 2015 conference crown. Though he had yet to play a full season, some considered him to be a dark horse Heisman Trophy candidate.
While Johnson’s previous starts helped gain Malzahn’s confidence in the future of the position, Harris’ struggles against Auburn prevented him from commanding the LSU offense in 2014.
But with a year of experience under his belt, even Malzahn recognizes Harris won’t be the same guy who his team saw last year.
“He’s was in a tough spot last year. There’s no doubt about that,” Malzahn said at the SEC teleconference. “You can just tell, after his first start, he’s a lot more comfortable and a lot more confident. We recruited him, so we know all about him. He’s very talented young man who can throw the football and hurt you with his feet.
Malzahn hasn’t lost confidence in Johnson, and the coach believes he has to do more to ensure that his quarterback is successful, including putting him in “good situations.”
Johnson presents a different style than what Marshall, or even Newton, showed Miles in the past.
“He’ll still pull it and make some yards, so you’re going to have to take the responsibility there anyway,” Miles said. “His abilities are more in the throwing game. They’ll still have a nice tailback and some receivers to throw it to. So it’s still very much a formidable offense, it’s just not the same Cam Newton style of runner.”
Saturday may prove that the preseason perception isn’t reality for the two dueling passers. But for the one in purple and gold, his eyes are only looking forward.
“[Offensive coordinator] Cam [Cameron] and coach Miles and everybody else, they helped me get through that [Auburn loss],” Harris said. “We’re past it. I’m looking forward to this weekend.”