LSU’s defensive front has the kind of edge that can make life miserable for any quarterback, and Auburn’s protection issues make this matchup even more intriguing.
The Tigers from Baton Rouge have piled up 27 sacks this season, a number that puts constant heat on opposing quarterbacks and sets up a difficult assignment for Auburn, which has already given up 23 sacks this year. Auburn has spent the season trying to settle into a new identity under a first-year regime, and the offensive line has been one of the biggest hurdles along the way.
That said, Auburn has shown signs of progress. In the recent win over Georgia, the Tigers allowed five sacks, but coaches and fans also saw some improvement from up front. Left tackle Jacob Strand stepped in for former starter Jo Simmons, and Stanton Ramil posted his best game of the season at right tackle, earning a strong PFF grade for his performance.
Even with those encouraging moments, Auburn’s line still has plenty to prove. Quarterback Bynrum Brown can work outside structure and use his legs to create something when plays break down, but he has not seen a front like LSU’s this season. The ability to extend plays has helped Auburn survive some rough patches, yet it also puts extra pressure on a line that has been inconsistent.
For LSU, the key will be discipline as much as aggression. The front has been disruptive all year, but if it loses contain or drifts out of its lanes, Brown can turn a collapsing pocket into open space in a hurry. If LSU keeps him boxed in and makes the pocket shrink instead of springing loose, that’s where the pressure starts to snowball - with coverage sacks, mistakes, and chances for the defense to take control.
In Other News...
LSU's SEC Fight Just Raised A New Problem For Will Wade
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill has jumped into LSUs ongoing fight with the SEC, filing a motion that seeks to knock out the conferences federal lawsuit against LSU officials. Murrill dismissed the SECs latest claims as a Hail Mary, a sign that the case, which began with allegations aimed at LSU football officials over recruiting ex-pro athletes, has now widened into a much messier battle for the university.
The expansion into mens basketball only adds to the pressure around Will Wades program, especially with the SEC now pressing beyond the original football-related dispute. Wade has already said he plans to follow conference rules that bar athletes who previously signed professional contracts from being rostered, but the conferences broader approach means LSU is now dealing with a legal fight that could reach deeper into how it handles basketball recruiting, too. [Read more 🡒]
LSUs Roster Picture Just Changed With One Big Eligibility Twist
LSUs roster picture got a lot clearer with a wave of eligibility updates that should help settle some of the uncertainty around the mens basketball rotation. Saliou Niang, Brice Dessert, Skyy Clark and Donovan Dent have all been ruled eligible to play, giving the Tigers a stronger sense of what their lineup and depth chart can look like as the season approaches. Niang brings the promise of an athletic upside that has already made him stand out as an NBA draft pick, while Dessert is expected to add help in the frontcourt.
Dent and Clark, who were teammates at UCLA, now look set to be part of LSUs backcourt mix, an encouraging development for a team trying to build continuity in the right places. Even so, not every update was as clean, and one players status came with a less positive note, leaving at least one part of the roster situation still unsettled. [Read more 🡒]
LSU Fans Should Keep An Eye On Bryce Underwood's Michigan Drama
Bryce Underwoods situation at Michigan has quickly become one of the more closely watched quarterback storylines in the country, and LSU fans have a natural reason to pay attention. The freshman has been benched, with Tommy Carr expected to take over as the starter in the upcoming game, which has only added to the uncertainty around Underwoods place in Ann Arbor and where his career might be headed next.
Underwood has not entered the transfer portal, but the chatter around his future is already building, and LSU is among the programs being mentioned as a possible landing spot if he chooses to move on. Miami, Texas Tech, Georgia and Kentucky are also in the mix, which means this could become a national recruiting and roster watch for the Tigers if the situation keeps trending in this direction. [Read more 🡒]