Top 3 SEC Games: Week Three Edition
Sep 12, 2015; Starkville, MS, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Les Miles embraces running back Leonard Fournette (7) after defeating the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. LSU won 21-19. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
18 Auburn VS 13 LSU
Location: Tiger Stadium, Baton Rouge, LA
Game Time: Saturday, September 19 3:30PM ET
TV: CBS
One set of Tigers held on for a late night win in an SEC Western Division foe’s backyard, while the other Tigers held on for a late afternoon win over Jacksonville State. Wait, the same Jacksonville State that upset Ole Miss in 2010? That would be correct. But for an Auburn Tiger team that was picked by many to win the SEC, an overtime win over the Jacksonville State Gamecocks does not bode well. For the second week in a row Jeremy Johnson struggled under center. For the second week in a row Auburn’s secondary was exposed. The LSU Tigers, on the other hand, continue to run a one dimensional offense led by Leonard Fournette. It’s not a bold strategy, it’s a safe strategy. LSU held on for dear life against Mississippi State last weekend. I really thought it was a telling move late in the game when Les Miles opted to punt on 4th and inches as opposed to having Fournette pound away for the extra inches to kill the game. I think Les Miles is feeling the pressure, and is coaching not to lose his job this year. LSU needs the win this weekend, but the strength of their offense will power head on into the strength of Auburn’s defense: their front seven. Look for Jeremy Johnson to receive his first real test (yes, real test) this Saturday in hostile Death Valley. This game will set the tone for both teams fighting for positions in the SEC West. An Auburn loss creates major negativity on the plains and an LSU loss puts Miles’s job in serious jeopardy. A 2:30 CBS kickoff is perfect for an early fall afternoon, with some bubbling drama on both ends to keep up with.
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