Prowler's Hit Parade: The Ghost of Les Miles

LSU's DJ Chark gallops on his way to a 75 yard punt return for a TD.

I'm still checking the box score every 15 minutes to make sure LSU is still the winner of one of the greatest comebacks in Tiger history. I would argue that the LSU-Auburn series gives college football fans must see TV year in and year out. Name me a series that has had as many wild twists and turns these teams have given us.

1988: "The Earthquake Game" LSU 7 - Auburn 6. The Tiger Stadium crowd set off a richter scale on LSU's campus.

1994: "The Interception Game" Auburn 30 - LSU 26. LSU's Jamie Howard throws three fourth quarter pick 6's as LSU blows a 23-9 lead.

1996: "The Night Barn Burned" LSU 19 - Auburn 15. This was a literal barn burner as the old Auburn Sports Arena burned downed during the game shooting huge flames near Jordan-Hare Stadium.

1997: "The Drive" Auburn 31 - LSU 28. Cecil "the Diesel" Collins went off for 232 yards and 2 TD's but Auburn's Dameyune Craig led a 80 yard late 4th quarter TD drive to win the game for the Tigers.

2004: "The Extra Extra Point" Auburn 10 - LSU 9. Tied 9-9 after a late Auburn TD, Auburn kicker John Vaughn missed the extra point. However, LSU was flagged for jumping to try and block the kick. Auburn re-kicked and won the game by one point.

2005: "The Missed Field Goals Game" LSU 20 - Auburn 17 (OT). Auburn missed five FG's in the game the last in overtime sealing the victory for LSU.

2007: ":02" LSU 30 - Auburn 24. Les Miles called a pass to the end zone rather than kick a 41 yard FG to win the game. Flynn hit Byrd for a TD with :02 left on the clock.

2010: "sCam Newton Runs Wild" Auburn 24 - LSU 17. On the way to the Heisman Trophy and a National Title, Cam Newton ran for 217 yards and two TD's on LSU.

2016: "Les' Last Game" Auburn 18 - LSU 13. LSU drove deep into Auburn territory as the final seconds ticked away in a tight game with two coaches coaching for their lives. In a scene too often repeated, Miles mismanaged the clock and LSU's "winning TD" pass was run after time expired. Les was fired the next day.

2017: "The Comeback" LSU 27- Auburn 23. LSU goes down 20-0 to then outscore Auburn 27-3 to win late.

* This game was a Les Miles Special. How fitting that Miles and the 2007 National Title team celebrated their 10 year anniversary at half time?

* During Auburn's 20 point opening outburst, LSU couldn't get out of its own way, Chark fumbled, there was a late hit out of bounds, a block in the back on a kick return, Etling and Guice running in to each other on 3^rd and short and Delpit got beat for a long TD on a double move.

* We have a kicker!! Connor Culp hit two CLUTCH FG's late in the 4^th to provide the winning margin for the Tigers.

* I think Auburn got up big and switched off mentally. Once that happens, it can be very difficult for a team to recapture its focus.

* LSU defense was amazing in the second half. Auburn was 1-8 on 3^rd down and gained only 64 yards. Stidham's numbers were brutal . 9 for 26 for the game with only 6 yards passing in the second half.

* Many have criticized Malzahn for the second half play calling. But through six games, LSU was giving up over six yards a carry in the third quarter. The strategy to stick to the running game made sense. Run the ball and wear down LSU's D-Line. Remember, Florida ran all over LSU last week in the 3^rd quarter scoring two TD's. The problem was the inability to convert on 3^rd down.

Other random thoughts

1. Seven ranked teams lost to unranked teams this week. Clemson, Washington, Washington State, Auburn, San Diego State, Texas Tech and Navy all went down.

2. Speaking of Washington and Washington State, the Pac-12’s playoff hopes took a huge hit with both losing.

3. Alabama can be beat, but I just don’t see it happening. They are smashing people week after week.

4. LSU’s top two coaching targets from last year, Fisher and Herman, are a combined 5-6 this season. Not that I wouldn’t love to have either of those guys on the Tiger’s sideline, but it is interesting none the less.

5. Look out for Michigan State. The Mighty Spartans have a great chance to be 7-1 when they host Penn State the first Saturday of November.