The Jacob Hester Show

If you will recall, last week I had to question how Jacob Hester gets so many touches. I am starting to get an idea that the coaches really like his versatility. Furthermore, by involving him in the game to such a large extent, 6 catches and 8 rushes for 96 total yards, LSU will force other teams to game plan for him. I can’t argue with his productivity, almost 7 yards every time he touched the ball. Jimbo Fisher has done a wonderful job of game planning in LSU’s biggest match-ups the last seven years, that includes using games like this to give future opponents new wrinkles to prepare for later in the season. Look at it this way, Hester is a poor man’s Domanick Davis; let’s hope he continues to develop.

A few other observations about the game:

* How stupid was it for Arizona to stomp on the eye of the Tiger in pre-game warm-ups? As if LSU didn’t need more motivation. Mike Stoops downplayed the incident, blaming it on the media, but don’t believe it. He’s been running his mouth all week and all that chatter is only clever if you can back it up.

* LSU’s defensive line devoured Arizona’s O-line. Willie Tuitama was running for his life all night and was picked off twice.

* Inside the numbers: Click here for all the stats on LSU.

*JaMarcus Russell has been fantastic thus far. He is #3 in the nation in passing efficiency and has been very productive averaging 12.1 yards per attempt. Compare that with Tuitama who is averaging 4.2 yards an attempt.

*While LSU is still turning over the ball too much with 5 TO in two games, the defense has really stepped up picking off 5 passes already this season. In 2005, the Tigers made 10 picks the entire year.

* For LSU to have another 10+ win season, Alley Broussard must continue to produce. He makes plays Vincent can’t and runs with authority. Case in point, late in the first quarter he took a pitch to the right and was hit behind the line. He shrugged off the tackle and got a first down. No way Vincent makes that play. Exhibit two, in the second quarter, Broussard takes a hand-off up the middle, hurdles over a tackler and scoots into the endzone. Great stuff.

* Special teams were solid. David is now 12 for 12 on PAT’s and even knocked home a short FG.

* Trindon Holiday looked good. The speedy little guy will be making plays for the Tigers the next four years.

Seeing the results of the last two weeks, I am more convinced than ever that the winner of next week’s LSU v. Auburn game will win the SEC West. Ole Miss and MSU are pitiful, Arkansas has a true freshman QB and Alabama struggled to beat Hawaii and Vandy.

With the game at Auburn, LSU faces an extremely hostile crowd. Anyone who has been there knows how loud it gets. Plus Auburn will be hungry after last year’s thriller. Before the season I gave LSU little chance to win this game, but what I have seen so far gives me reasons to be optimistic.

*JaMarcus Russell has really come into his own. He’s been on the road and won big games for LSU. He is not going to wilt under pressure.

*LSU’s D-Line has been better than expected. I know ULL and Zona are mediocre teams at best, but the Tigers have been getting a good pass rush and are backed up by the best(?) secondary in the nation.

*Special teams. So far, so good.

The question remains though, can the young guys on that defensive line get pressure on Auburn’s Brandon Cox and shut down Kenny Irons who ran all over LSU last season for 218 yards.

The home team is 6-0 in this series dating back to 2000. While the 2000-2003 games were decided by an average of 19.5 points, the last two have been decided by a total of 4 points. Both games were decided by special teams which I think will play a big part on Saturday. I think JaMarcus will come up big and the defense will make enough plays for LSU to get out of Auburn with a win.

LSU 24 – Auburn 20