10.13.23 Football Articles

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247sports.com

 

Jason Caldwells Tiger Tracks

Jason Caldwell

7–9 minutes

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Jason Caldwell's Tiger Tracks

Auburn football, Auburn baseball and Auburn volleyball notes.

Getting healthy on the offensive line

There has been plenty of injuries talked about for this Auburn football team during the bye week and heading into the LSU game, but two that haven’t been mentioned as much that could be big are the ankle injuries to starting guard Kam Stutts and starting tackle Izavion Miller. Both have been bothered for the past few weeks with sore ankles, which has impacted them at the line of scrimmage. That’s mostly in the pass protection part of the game also, which requires more later movement and sliding to pick up rushers. Auburn has continued to run the ball well, but getting those two back healthier should help against the LSU pass rush this weekend.

Got to make plays in the passing game

In Auburn’s 2021 win in Baton Rouge, Auburn quarterbacks completed 24-48 passes for 290 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. The previous three trips to Tiger Stadium for Auburn, the quarterbacks had combined to complete 35-81 passes for just 420 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions. Even going back to Nick Marshall and the 2013 Tigers, when he was 17-33 for 224 yards and no touchdowns with two interceptions, Auburn’s issues throwing the football consistently have shown up in a big way against LSU. Against an LSU defense that had had major issues defending the pass this season, how efficiently Auburn throws the ball Saturday night could be the deciding factor in this game for Hugh Freeze and the Tigers.

Tough news for Auburn baseball

Auburn is preparing to face Alabama on Friday night in Tuscaloosa in a pair of 7-inning games and the Tigers will be without one of their top guys after true freshman infielder Eric Guevara had knee surgery this week. The injury occurred during a drill late last week and unfortunately will keep the talented newcomer out for the entire 2024 season. The good news is that Auburn has some capable players to compete for the three spots on the infield alongside returning starter Cooper McMurray at first base. Caden Green returns as a starter at second base with reserve Brody Moss. Also back is sophomore Gavin Miller, who can play both third base and first base. In addition, the Tigers brought in Miami (Ohio) transfer Cooper Weiss, Florida transfer Deric Fabian and Jacksonville State transfer Javon Hernandez. It’s going to be an interesting few weeks to see if anyone can step in front on the infield for the Tigers.

Big hitter

The awards keep trickling in for Madison Scheer. Auburn's stellar outside hitter has been named AVCA/GameChanger National Player of the Week the association announced on Tuesday.

A day after receiving her second SEC Player of the Week honors of her young career, the Eureka, Missouri native now steps into the national spotlight. Scheer swung for a career-high .667 with 14 kills on 18 attempts with only two errors in the Tigers' historic win in Gainesville on Friday.

Two days later, the sophomore put up another 19 kills on .371 hitting as Auburn ground out a victory over South Carolina to improve to 14-3 on the season and 4-2 in SEC play.

In total, Scheer put up 33 kills on a monstrous .472 hitting, averaging 4.13 kills per set and 4.31 points per set.

The recognition marks the second time in program history a Tiger has won National Player of the Week and the first in the rally-scoring era. Rani Whitson picked up the award on Oct. 28, 1996. It's also the second player under head coach Brent Crouch to receive the honor.

Auburn's Aden Holloway named preseason Freshman All-American by 247Sports

The point guard is Auburn's No. 2 highest-rated signee all time

Another Auburn basketball season, another ultra-talented recruit looking to make waves on the Plains.

Aden Holloway, the program's No. 2 highest-rated signee ever, has been named a preseason first team Freshman All-American by 247Sports on Thursday.

"Aden Holloway just looks like a Bruce Pearl point guard," wrote 247Sports' Isaac Trotter. "He won't be handed the starting gig — sophomore Tre Donaldson is more than competent — but Holloway is the dynamic shotmaker the Tigers so desperately needed. Plenty of freshmen struggle to make shots every year, but it's easy to see why Auburn is so bullish that Holloway can buck that trend. Holloway should, in theory, be a drop-coverage killer who can scurry around Johni Broome's bulldozer-like picks and make defenses pay for going under ball screens. If the playmaking sticks, Holloway can change the ceiling of Auburn in 2023-24." 

The fifth McDonald’s All-American in program history this year, Holloway finished the 2023 cycle rated by 247Sports as the No. 16 overall player in the country and the No. 3 point guard. Only Jabari Smith, who was an All-American then a top-5 NBA draft pick after his lone season on the Plains, has ever joined Auburn basketball as a better-rated prospect.

A highly gifted shooter at 6-foot-1 and 178 pounds, Holloway worked to develop his body this offseason, after he was listed at 155 pounds at the start of his senior season at Prolific Prep in California.

And just as Pearl has seen the freshman grow in comfort this offseason with his teammates, he’d also like to see Holloway branch out to some of his other skills beyond his elite shooting touch — which was on full display in the team’s first preseason scrimmage last Saturday.

“I thought you could see that Aden stepped up a little bit (in the scrimmage); his energy level was really good,” Pearl said this preseason. “But he can make shots. He's gotta continue to do a better job to be a better playmaker. Again, what happens is that players should go to their strengths. So I am going to want Aden to score, because that's what he does well offensively. I want him to improve as a passer, because it'll make us better and make him better.

“When he doesn't pass it, it doesn't have anything to do with him being selfish or not giving the ball up. It's just that he's better shooting it than he is passing it right now.”

Similar to how Auburn has received immense production from its transfer additions in recent seasons under Pearl, some of its most talented high-school prospects have also performed at a high rate. But Holloway takes things to another level at the point guard position, where he comes in rated even higher than Sharife Cooper, who spent one season at Auburn then became a second-round draft pick.

The Tigers haven’t had six draft picks over the last five years by accident, though. The most talented players to wear the orange and blue under Pearl have also been the most relentless, and Holloway is no different. And Pearl knows the freshman is in for some special moments this season, like those before him have enjoyed.

“Just like Jabari or Walker (Kessler) or Isaac (Okoro) or some of the great players that we've had over the last few years, he's one of our hardest workers,” Pearl said of Holloway. “... With the ball in his hands late, the best thing I can do is find a way to get him open and he'll make a shot. And he just wants to get better. Aden has got some of that 'it'.’ He's got some special in him.”

Holloway and the rest of the Tigers will put their talents on display Thursday afternoon for professional scouts at the program's annual pro day inside Neville Arena.

*** Subscribe to Auburn Undercover for the latest news and intel, podcasts, recruiting coverage and more ***

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auburnwire.usatoday.com

Tale of the Tape: Auburn vs. LSU

Brian Hauch

4–5 minutes

A pair of two-loss teams face off this weekend in Death Valley, as the 3-2 Auburn Tigers travel to take on the 4-2 No. 20 LSU Tigers in a SEC West showdown.

Auburn is coming off its bye week after nearly upsetting No. 1 Georgia two weekends ago.

LSU avoided a scare in Missouri last week, taking down the then-undefeated Missouri Tigers 49-39 in a game that saw a combined 1,060 yards of total offense.

LSU’s offense has been humming all year, led by Heisman candidate Jayden Daniels and wide receiver Malik Nabers. Their defense has been the Achilles heel for the team, however, as they’ve allowed nearly 47 points per game this season.

Auburn’s story of the season is nearly the exact opposite, as the offense has struggled mightily while the defense has become a top unit in the country.

Auburn’s inept offense is one of the main reasons why they are 11.5-point underdogs in this game according to BetMGM.

ESPN’s FPI doesn’t love Auburn’s chances at an upset either, as the model gives the unranked Tigers a 24.1% chance at stealing one in Death Valley.

Will a deeper dive into the tale of the tape show Auburn has a higher chance of ending its two-game losing streak than the experts believe? As always, we’ll start by looking at the quarterbacks.

Auburn has struggled to throw the ball all season with quarterback Payton Thorne. Through the first five games, Thorne has thrown for 643 yards (128.6 YPG), 4 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions.

The junior transfer has also run the ball 45 times, collecting 195 yards on the ground and scoring twice.

LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels has more than tripled that production. In six games, Daniels has thrown for 1,969 yards and 19 touchdowns. He has thrown just 2 interceptions.

The senior has also done damage on the ground, rushing the ball 75 times for 422 yards and 4 touchdowns.

LSU has the clear advantage at quarterback, and it’s not anywhere close. The offensive skill position-player difference tells much of the same story.

Auburn has failed to get much of anything from pass-catchers not named Jay Fair or Rivaldo Fairweather, while LSU has arguably the best receiver in the nation in Malik Nabers and a contingent of solid players behind him.

Nabers alone has tallied 771 yards and 6 touchdowns through 6 games. The 771 yards are just 10 less than all Auburn pass-catchers combined, albeit in one extra game.

Brian Thomas Jr. has been the preferred second option for Jayden Daniels, as the junior has collected 603 yards and scored a team-leading 9 touchdowns this season.

Brian Kelly’s team has also been better rushing the ball, as they’ve rushed for 5.7 yards per carry compared to Auburn’s 4.8 this season.

LSU is leaps and bounds better than Auburn right now on the offensive side of the ball.

The same can’t be said for the defense, as the road team has the clear advantage in this one.

Even after getting pounced by Carson Beckand Brock Bowers in the fourth quarter two weeks ago, Auburn’s defense still ranks 31st in the country in total yards allowed per game (349) and 26th in points allowed per game (19.5).

LSU’s defense, on the other hand, is not good. The Tigers are giving up an outrageous 36.8 points and 470.8 yards per game.

Auburn’s contingent of playmakers on the defensive side gives them a clear advantage in this one.

The LSU offense is elite, the defense is not.

The Auburn defense is elite, the offense is not.

This game is going to come down to which team takes advantage of the other side’s weakness first. If the Auburn defense can play the way they’ve been playing, and the offense can take advantage of a bad LSU defense, they have a chance to end their losing skid at two games.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on  X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @TheRealBHauch

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si.com

 

Hugh Freeze: The margin for error between winning and losing is ‘so small’

Joshua Collins

2–3 minutes

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How much or how little did Auburn miss the mark against Georgia?

Coach Freeze held his weekly press conference on Monday and spoke on several facets of Auburn’s performance against Georgia during the “Deep South’s oldest Rivalry”.

The media have had time to become accustomed to Coach Freeze’s candid delivery during his press conferences, as is has been quite the breath of fresh air with so much transparency. 

 While Coach Freeze highlighted several areas where the Tigers could have performed better, and several where they performed to his standard, a significant comment stood out.

Freeze discussed the margins of error that he sees with his current roster situation with injuries and apparent talent gaps across the board.

Freeze said, "The margin for error for us winning and losing is so small against teams that have better rosters than us... If we can't do it, personnel-wise, get it out of the plan. If we can do it, coach it better."

The question now is how can the Tigers begin being on the right side of this margin as the progress further into SEC play? Has the bye-week helped to address this? We will certainly find out on Saturday in Baton Rouge when the Tigers take on LSU in Death Valley. 

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cbssports.com

 

LSU vs. Auburn prediction, pick, spread, football game odds, live stream, watch online, TV

Will Backus

4–5 minutes

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Auburn travels to No. 22 LSU on Saturday as each team enters the meat of its conference slate. Auburn is fresh off three-straight SEC games, while the purple and gold Tigers play their fifth league game in a row. 

This will be the 58th meeting between the two Tigers. Both were charter members of the SEC when it was founded in 1932, but their rivalry extends all the way back to 1901 when Auburn picked up a 28-0 win in Baton Rouge. LSU and Auburn have played each year since the SEC split into divisions in 1992.

LSU holds a 29-24-1 all-time advantage despite vacating three wins from Les Miles' tenure. The recent history of this series has been quite competitive. LSU holds a slight 4-3 advantage over the last seven games. LSU's 21-17 win against Auburn last season was its first since 2019. Since 2016, all but one game between the two teams came down to a single possession. 

The last time these two met in Baton Rouge, No. 22 Auburn came away with a 24-19 win. Auburn coach Hugh Freeze faces LSU for the first time at his new post, but he was 2-3 (counting vacated wins) against the school during his time as the coach at Ole Miss. 

LSU vs. Auburn: Need to know

Movable object vs. stoppable force: Saturday could be a get-right game for either team. Auburn boasts the SEC's worst passing attack, averaging a paltry 156.2 yards per game. Quarterback Payton Thorne has failed to reach 100 yards passing in three out of five games and has just four touchdowns to four interceptions. Fortunately for Thorne, LSU's secondary is virtually nonexistent. LSU is giving up 285.3 yards passing per game -- second-worst in the SEC. Each of LSU's last three opponents have thrown for at least 250 yards. 

Daniels in midst of special season: LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels is college football's most improved player. He has steadily progressed each year since starting as a true freshman at Arizona State. He'll have another chance to take a step forward Saturday. Last season against Auburn, he completed just 8 of 20 pass attempts for 80 yards in a narrow 21-17 win. By comparison, he's thrown for more than 200 passing yards in every game this season. In fact, he's eclipsed 300 yards through the air four times during that span. Daniels is third in the FBS with 1,969 yards passing and second with 19 passing touchdowns.  

Mind the rock: Auburn's offense may leave a lot to be desired, but its defense consistently puts it in positions to succeed. The Tigers know how to hunt the ball. They are second in the SEC in turnovers forced with 10 through five games. Cornerback Jaylin Simpson's four interceptions are tied for the national lead. He had at least one pick in each of Auburn's first three games, becoming the first Tiger to do so since 2007. Auburn is also one of just 11 FBS teams with both an interception and fumble returned for a touchdown. 

How to watch LSU vs. Auburn live

Date: Saturday, Oct. 14 | Time: 7 p.m. ET
Location: Tiger Stadium -- Baton Rouge, Louisiana
TV: ESPN | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)

LSU vs. Auburn prediction, picks

Odds via SportsLine consensus

Something has to give in this weekend's matchup. Auburn's offense struggles to move the ball consistently and LSU's defense couldn't stop a nosebleed. I was tempted to pick the under. There's a good chance the Tigers try to muddy this game up, and they'll certainly want to do everything possible to keep LSU's offense off the field. But five of LSU's six games have reached the 60-point threshold. Each of LSU's last three games have been decided by 10 points or less, so Auburn covering seems like the safest bet here. Pick: Auburn -11

 

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theplainsman.com

 

Behind enemy bylines: LSU

 

12–15 minutes

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Before Auburn takes on LSU on Saturday, The Auburn Plainsman's sports editor, Jacob Waters, sat down with the Reveille's sports editor, Peter Rauterkus, to ask some questions about this weekend's contest.

Waters: What were some takeaways from LSU's win last week against Missouri?

Rauterkus: The biggest thing in my takeaway's article, kind of the number one thing, was that Jayden Daniels, not only is he good, but his toughness is also probably the most underrated aspect. Suffered the rib injury in the second half, came back in the game. Next drive he was back in, ran for that 35-yard touchdown. Led another what ended up being the game-winning drive, his next drive. Every week he continues to impress. This week it was showing that even while hurt, he can still lead LSU, go on those crucial drives, make the throws, run the ball extremely well. And then on the other side, the defense is still not good. There's no toys around it. They gave up over 500 yards, but they made a couple plays on Saturday. That's what they need to be, just serviceable. Because the offense is so good, the defense doesn't need to be good. It just needs to be not horrendous, but they had two interceptions. They had the pick six at the end. They had a huge sack fumble in the fourth quarter as well, where they didn't recover it, but it caused fourth-and-2 and effectively ended the drive. So, if the defense is going to be bad, they need at least be opportunistic. And if they can do that, that can help them win. Turn games that are 55-49 loss to a win because they can at least get the one or two stops that the offense needs."

Waters: Two losses on the schedule already, was that something that LSU fans were afraid would happen? Was the even a though in LSU fans' minds?

Rauterkus: "Obviously playing in the SEC, SEC West, it's always gonna be a tough schedule. I don't think anyone expected LSU to have two losses, especially not by the end of September. But you know, Florida State is a top-five team, and I think a lot of people kind of underestimated just how good that team was going into that game and just flat out got outplayed by Florida State in that first game, wasn't particularly close. Then Ole Miss, once again not a game that I don't think anyone really expected to lose. But still, really good team on the road too, and when you have a defense as bad as LSU's and you play against any offense led by Lane Kiffin, he's going to take advantage of that. And that's what Ole Miss did. LSU gave up 55 points, 700 yards, which was an LSU school record for most yards allowed in a game. So, I don't know that this was something that people were really expecting, but when you look at LSU's schedule in any given year, you know that there's potential losses sprinkled in, in all portions of the schedule. When I did my record prediction at the beginning of the year, I kind of leaned toward 11-1, 10-2, 11-1 is what I put in our article. And I said '11-1, they lose to either FSU or Alabama.' So when they lost FSU, I wasn't shocked. But when they lost again before they got to the Bama game, that's when I was a little a little more surprised, even though I knew I always knew they game could've went either way."

Waters: "What's been the issue for LSU's defense this year?"

Rauterkus: "Starting at the secondary, that's still I would say the biggest issue, especially tackling in the secondary. If I had to really point to one thing that's been the biggest root of LSU's issue it's tackling, especially against Ole Miss. Ole Miss getting big play after big play where it's not like they're taking a whole bunch of shots down the field and just going over the top of the LSU defense, it's they might throw a screen pass or a 10-yard out or slant that turns into a 30 or 40-yard play because LSU can't tackle them on the first attempt. Or, what shouldn't be just a 5-yard run turns into 20 or 30-yard run because you're missing a tackle in the secondary, missing a tackle at the linebacker position. So, I will say that's the biggest thing. The secondary also just in coverage is just not very good. They're not very talented this year. It's a group that lost, corners wise, lost everybody from last year. And it's kind of been a revolving door at that position to start the season with Zy Alexander, Sage Ryan were the two who played most of the snaps last week, and Zy Alexander has been the most consistent at that position, a transfer from Southeastern Louisiana. But that's the issue right there is that your best guy is a transfer from Southeastern Louisiana. Usually when you look at LSU you see a Derek Stingley, you see a Patrick Peterson, you see NFL talent at that position, and this year, you just don't have that. You've got a lot of young guys, pretty much everybody's new, at the safety position as well. You've got some coming back, like Major Burns, he was there last year, but he hasn't been greatest for the season. Andre' Sam is in, I think his sixth or seventh year playing college football, but he'd spent most of that time but McNeese [State] and Marshall before this, so once again, just hadn't been at that level. And then obviously, just in a really serious and awful situation in just a life regard but just looking at from a purely football point of view, Greg Brooks, that was probably your best guy in the secondary. Obviously what's going on with him has been one of the stories the season, but just another instance where you just don't have experience back there. Then up in the front seven, that's where you've got more of your talent. Obviously, you've got Harold Perkins, who probably is pound-for-pound the best player on your team. He had one of the two interceptions from the linebacker position on Saturday. The defensive line on paper is really good. They struggled a lot against Ole Miss. They were a little better against Missouri, and they just brought in Pete Jenkins to kind of help coach that defensive line during the middle of the season. So, that's the one unit that I do have some hope can get a little bit better. The defensive backfield I think, tackling can be improved, and I think they just have to improve that."

Waters: Who are a couple offensive players Auburn fans should look out for?

Rauterkus: Obviously, Jayden Daniels he's the quarterback. He's playing as well as anybody in the country right now. Obviously, I saw Hugh Freeze had really high praise for him the other day. Hurt you with his arm, hurts with his legs. I think he's third in the country in passing yards, I'm sure he's up there. I'm not sure where he ranks, in the most quarterbacks with rushing yards but also I would assume ranks very highly. Logan Diggs at running back... I don't know if surprised is the right word. I think people knew, transfer from Notre Dame that he was going to be a solid player. He had over 800 yards rushing at Notre Dame last year, but he's really been the answer LSU needed at that position. One of the biggest questions on offense going into the season, there weren't very many, was who's going to really step up and be the guy and get most of the carries at running back, and it's been Logan Diggs. He missed the first game of the season, but is still, I want to say, in the top three in the SEC in rushing yards. Had 134 yards on 24 carries against Missouri. He's doesn't have great top-end speed. You're not going to see him break off a 50-yard run. He'll probably get chased down when he gets to about 30, but he always falls forward. He can always consistently get you four to six yards every time and really good vision, can catch the ball out of the backfield, can pass block, just a really good all-around back. And then at receiver, Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas. Those are really the two biggest targets for Jayden Daniels. Malik Nabers will probably be one of the first five receivers taken in the draft, really, really good player. Kind of the smaller, faster archetype. Not small but about 6 foot, 6-1, 200 pounds. He's kind of can do it all. He's really strong, make those contested catches in the short, intermediate passing game but can also can also be a deep threat, take the top off the defense. And then Brian Thomas, bigger guy. About 6-4, really good red zone threat, leads the country in receiving touchdowns just because I mean the slot fade, the goal line fade to him has been almost unstoppable. That's been one of the staples of this LSU offense with Jayden Daniels. He's just been so effective in winning one-on-ones in the red zone."

Waters: Who are a couple defensive players Auburn fans should look out for?

Rauterkus: "Harold Perkins, the biggest one, just a guy that can cause havoc in a lot of different ways. LSU has kind of messed around a little bit with trying to find what position makes the most sense for him. They started the season with him at middle linebacker against Florida State which just didn't really work. He's really, in my opinion, just too small to play that position, as well as be just a traditional defensive end. He's only about 210, 220 pounds, but he can still be a really disruptive force coming off the edge. I mean, that's how he kind of made his name last year as a pass rusher. Had I think 7½  half sacks, had the game against Arkansas where he had like three or four sacks and two forced fumbles, but now they're kind of playing him in that nickel sam role, where he's kind of able to do it all. Sometimes you'll see him blitzing, sometimes you'll see him playing in coverage. He just does a little bit of everything, and I think that's kind of where they want to put him in a position to where he can affect the game multiple ways. Outside of him, on the defensive line, Mekhi Wingo is probably their most consistent player in the run as well, just a good, polished all-around defensive lineman, but other than that, there's not a whole lot of positives I can say about the LSU defense, but those two guys I would say, are the most dangerous, most talented right now."

Waters: Your prediction for the game?

Rauterkus: "It's tough to think about a score prediction, a game like this. We joked about this when LSU played Arkansas a few weeks ago, it's the same thing with Auburn. When LSU plays Auburn, it doesn't matter how good the two teams are, the game's always gonna be weird. Auburn is, obviously in kind of a big period of change right now. First year of the Hugh Freeze era, they're still kind of figuring themselves out and there's still flaws on that team, but you could also look at this Auburn team who got really close to beating the No. 1 team in the country just a couple weeks ago. It feels like a good matchup for LSU because LSU's biggest weaknesses is the defense, and Auburn's offense is not, especially in the passing game where LSU has a weak secondary, Auburn's not quite there yet. But, Hugh Freeze is a really good offensive coach, and I think he's going to find ways to move the ball and score points against this LSU defense, so I think it's going to be close. I think the spread is like 11, I think Auburn will end up covering that, but I think especially because this game is in Tiger Stadium, I think LSU is still going to win. In terms of a score, I think it'll be a little less high scoring just because Auburn's a running team. We're going to see a lot more clock get used, but I still think they're gonna score a good bit of points, so I'm going to say LSU 34, Auburn 27."

Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.

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Jacob Waters | Sports Editor

Jacob Waters is a senior majoring in journalism. From Leeds, Alabama, he started with The Plainsman in August, 2021.

Twitter: @JacobWaters_

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al.com

 

‘This is a tie breaker for me’: Auburn’s Jaylin Simpson approaches LSU game with added motivation

Updated: Oct. 12, 2023, 3:44 p.m.|Published: Oct. 12, 2023, 8:00 a.m.

5–6 minutes

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Auburn’s Jaylin Simpson spent the Saturday of his off week doing what any veteran safety would do: sitting on his couch watching his next opponent’s game.

This year, it meant tuning into LSU’s matchup with Missouri – a high-scoring, Top-25 matchup that ended in LSU beating Missouri 49-39.

The weekend away also gave Simpson an opportunity to stay off his feet in effort to help an achy calf muscle heal up before he and the Auburn Tigers take to Baton Rouge to take on the LSU Tigers this Saturday night.

When he walked into Auburn’s Woltosz Football Performance Center to meet with media members on Tuesday, Simpson was asked how his leg was faring. He shrugged it off and said he was doing fine.

The reality is Simpson’s leg might have to be severed from his body before he’d miss Saturday’s game.

“I mean, Death Valley? I love Death Valley,” Simpson said. “I’m not going to lie. I like playing there.”

It isn’t all too often you hear opposing teams say they’re excited to play at LSU’s Tiger Stadium, which bears the affectionate nickname “Death Valley” for good reason. It’s a tough place to play, especially under the lights.

But just like Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze, Simpson embraces the environment LSU fans create.

Surely it helps that the last time Simpson and Auburn played at Tiger Stadium in 2021 – with the help of heroics from current Oregon quarterback Bo Nix – Auburn snatched a win out from under LSU.

“I think after the game we started calling it 4th and Bo. We had 4th and Bo Nix that game. He played great,” Simpson recalled. “But we had a lot of fun.”

In the days leading up to Auburn’s 24-19 win over LSU in 2021, Simpson says the team was often reminded that it had been 22 years since the orange and blue Tigers beat the purple and gold Tigers on the road.

“I remember that was on our mind heavy that whole week,” Simpson said. “And we wanted to change that.”

Simpson isn’t a guy that needs added motivation to win football games.

However, a bit of added motivation never hurts. And Simpson has that this week.

Since arriving to Auburn in 2019, Simpson has played LSU four times. And as of now, his record against the Bayou Bengals is a stalemate.

“Man, since I been here in 2019, I’m 2-2 (vs.) LSU,” Simpson said. “So this is like a tie break for me. I’m trying to win that tie breaker.”

And if LSU’s offense continues on the tear it has through its first six games, Simpson will likely be one of Auburn’s biggest impact players.

Piloted by quarterback Jayden Daniels, LSU’s offense has thrown the ball. A lot.

Through his first six games of the 2023 season, Daniels has passed for just south of 2,000 yards, 19 touchdowns and just two interceptions.

“Dude is good. I like how he plays. He’s real tough. He gets hit a lot and he gets right back up,” Simpson said of Daniels. “He’s a tough player and he’s got tough receivers around him.”

Malik Nabors and Brian Thomas Jr. make up LSU’s elite receiving tandem.

Together, Nabors and Thomas have combined for 83 of LSU’s 97 receptions, 15 of LSU’s 19 receiving touchdowns and are both averaging more than 100 receiving yards per game.

“They are just all playmakers. They can score at any given moment, so we just got to be on our toes with them,” Simpson said. “But it’ll be fun. I like going against teams like this, real good elite players, so we just got to be on our toes with them and it’ll just be fun.”

Simpson likely looks at Saturday’s opportunity and is left drooling bit.

With how much the LSU offense throws football, it’s home cookin’ for a ball-hawking safety like Simpson, who has tallied four interceptions – including a Pick 6 – through his first five games this season.

Having been to Death Valley twice before, Simpson knows just how intense the crowd can be – especially during a night game.

And with so many takeaways under his belt, Simpson also knows just how quickly a rowdy crowd can be hushed by a turnover.

“Getting the turnover definitely brings some light to us, especially on the road… gets our offense going,” Simpson said. “We definitely need to get some turnovers this game for sure.”

That said, don’t think Simpson is focusing on maintaining his distinction of being the nation’s leader in interceptions.

“I’d rather have wins than interceptions,” Simpson said.

And there might not be a win that Simpson would rather have than the opportunity on Saturday night.

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247sports.com

Auburn Opponent Preview Tough test for Auburn defense vs highflying LSU offense

Jason Caldwell

4–5 minutes

Auburn football takes on LSU this Saturday night in Baton Rouge.

Auburn’s defense has been the strength of the team so far in 2023, but coach Ron Roberts and company will face likely their toughest test of the season on Saturday night when they square off against Jayden Daniels and anLSU offense that is one of the most electric in the country.

It all starts with Daniels. Accounting for around 2,500 yards and 23 touchdowns this season with only two interceptions, the Arizona State transfer and 5-year starter has been one of the best players in the country to this point. Averaging over 40 points per game and 530 yards of total offense, LSU is much more than just Daniels, however. They also feature one of the top backup quarterbacks in the country in sophomore Garrett Nussmeir, who is very capable of coming in and moving the LSU offense if needed. 

Much of the damage for LSU comes through the air with wide receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas combining to put up ridiculous numbers in six games. A 6-0, 200 junior, Nabers leads the team with 46 catches for 771 yards and six touchdowns. Both of those totals are second nationally, trailing only Luther Burden at Missouri. Not to be outdone, the 6-4, 205 Thomas has 37 receptions for 603 yards and nine scores. The nine touchdowns is tied for the lead in the country through six games. Also capable of making plays on the perimeter are 6-2, 215 senior Kyren Lacy and 5-8, 190 redshirt freshman Aaron Anderson. They are the only other receivers with more than five catches this season.

LSU also has a very capable tight end that can make plays on the second level in Mason Taylor. The son of former NFL standout Jason Taylor, the 6-6, 255 sophomore has 17 catches for 160 yard and one touchdown this season. Last season he had a huge first year on the field, catching 38 passes for 414 yards and three touchdowns.

In the backfield, Notre Dame transfer Logan Diggs has been a huge addition for LSU this season. After rushing for 822 yards and four touchdowns last season for the Fighting Irish, the 6-1, 215 Diggs leads LSU with 488 yards rushing and four touchdowns on just 81 carries. The big play threat has been senior Josh Wiliams. The 5-9, 203-pounder has 155 yards and a touchdown on just 17 carries this season. Highly recruited backs John Emery and Noah Cain provide more depth for LSU, but the star of the future may be true freshman Kaleb Jackson. A 6-0, 225-pounder, Jackson is a freight train that has 93 yards on 18 carries and two scores this year.

Even with all of the offensive success LSU has had this season and with a big-time athlete at quarterback in Daniels, the line of scrimmage has had its share of issues. Currently, LSU is 86th nationally, giving up 14 sacks in six games. Four of those came in an opening night loss to Florida State with three more coming at Ole Miss two weeks ago.

If Auburn wants to slow down this LSU offense, getting after Daniels and creating pressure would be a good place to start. To do that, Auburn will need to beat a line that has size for days. Leading the way are sophomore left tackle Will Campbell (6-6, 325) and junior guard Miles Frazier (6-6, 335). Center Charles Turner is expected to be ready to go after being banged up against Missouri. The 6-4, 300 senior has started 19 games for LSU in his career. Rounding out the projected starting lineup are massive 6-5, 325 Garrett Dellinger and 6-6, 315 Emery Jones.

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Coach Ellis called the deep man for kick 6

Edited October 13, 2023 by aubiefifty

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[SaltyTiger 8,579]

 

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4 hours ago, SaltyTiger said:

 

tis potted meat sammies the rest of the month salty..............lol

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