Auburn up Next

Is there a better series in college football right now? This game has had it all over the past twenty-one years starting in 1988 with…

1988 - The “Earthquake Game.” LSU was down all night to #4 Auburn. Late in the fourth quarter, Tommy Hodson hits Eddie Fuller in the back of the endzone of fourth down to seize a 7-6 victory. The emotional eruption registered on the seismograph in the geology department.

1989 - The next season LSU lost a tough defensive game 10-6 at Auburn.

1992 – Jamie Howard brings LSU all the way back from a huge deficit to take the lead 28-27 late in the 4th quarter. But Curley Hallman, in a sign of failures to come plays prevent and Auburn marches down the field and kicks the game winning FG. AU 30 – LSU 28

1994 - The Interception Game. Jamie Howard throws 3 pick-6’s as LSU blows a game they dominated all afternoon. AU 30 – LSU 26

1995 - #5 Auburn travels to LSU only to fall 12-6 in Gerry DiNardo’s first season. The game wasn’t over until the final play when LSU intercepted the potential game winning pass in the endzone.

1996 – LSU again traveled to Auburn and came home victorious. AU scored very late to pull within two points. On the ensuing two point conversion, the Tigers intercepted the pass and raced down the field for a “pick-6” making the score 19-15. However, Auburn recovered the subsequent onsides kick. LSU sealed the game with an interception with only moments to play.

1997 – Cecil Collins went nuts but Auburn’s Dameyune Craig led the Tigers down the field and scored the game winning TD with only moments to go. AU 31 – LSU 28

2004 – The series took a hiatus from the thrill rides of past seasons but returned to form in a classic defensive struggle decided by a missed XP and a dubious penalty on LSU. Auburn converted on a 4th and long on the game winning drive. Then missed the XP after tying the score at 9-9. But a flag was thrown on LSU for landing on another player and Auburn was allowed to re-kick. I have NEVER seen that penalty called in 27 years of watching football. AU 10 – LSU 9

2005 – LSU won a wild game 20-17 in OT. Auburn’s normally reliable kicker, John Vaughn, missed FIVE field goals, the last hitting the left upright in OT.

2006 - Another classic marred by the officials. Down 7-3, LSU throws deep on 4th and long. Early Doucet is mugged around the goal line and the ball is tipped away. The ref closest to the play throws a flag but is overruled. AU 7 – LSU 3.

2007 – LSU triumphed 30-24 in stunning fashion. With only seconds left on the clock, Matt Flynn hit Demetrius Byrd for a 34 yard TD in the corner of the endzone. At the end of the play, only one second remained on the clock.

2008 – Down 14-3 at the half, Jarrett Lee brought LSU back for a stirring 26-21 win in Jordan Hare Stadium. Lee hit Brandon LaFell with a little over a minute left for the game winning TD.

Thoughts on this week’s game…

I think coaches are starting to figure out that Auburn offense. The Tigers were blown out on the road two weeks ago and scored one offensive TD against Kentucky this week. ONE. And that was at home. Tiger Stadium will be rocking this weekend for this annual blood feud.

Auburn ranks 11th in rushing defense and total defense in the SEC. If LSU can’t move the ball against these guys this season will have an unhappy ending. I hope the coaches come out with a game plan that will emphasize the run. Either from the spread or two TE’s, LSU needs to have an identity. Jordan Jefferson cannot be the identity of this team. The staff needs to put less on his shoulders, not more.

The last five games have been decided by an average of four points each...

LSU 27 – Auburn 23