Leading up to the showdown between No. 13 LSU and No. 18 Auburn, one Auburn defender had words for LSU running back Leonard Fournette.

Essentially, defensive backs Rudy Ford said his team wasn’t very concerned with the sophomore back.

In fitting style, Ford’s comments were made to look foolish by Fournette, who gashed the Auburn defense for 228 yards on the ground and three touchdowns, 22 yards short of an LSU record, in what was easily the best performance of the Heisman Trophy hopeful’s young career.

Fournette has now rushed for 387 yards and six touchdowns through two games this season, both in SEC play and both against ranked opponents. His 12 yards per carry average against Auburn marked a new LSU single-game record.

Fournette’s first carry of the game was a 71-yard burst to set up an early LSU touchdown and set the tone. His last was a 1-yard scamper into the end zone to push his Tigers ahead 38-7 with 4:14 remaining in the third quarter and ice his team’s second victory in as many games.

Fournette not only made Ford eat his words, but proved all of the preseason hype surrounding him was real.

“I laughed at it,” Fournette said when asked about Ford’s comments from earlier in the week. “Words are words, and this game is about playing.”

That, Fournette did.

Just two games into his sophomore season, Fournette has proven to be a very worthy Heisman Trophy contender. He looks the part of the best running back in the SEC — perhaps the nation — and thus far has excelled against elite competition.

Fournette eclipsed 100 yards and found the end zone three times against previously-ranked Mississippi State in the Tigers’ season opener. A week later, against another ranked foe in No. 18 Auburn, Fournette cashed in for career-high rushing totals in a demolishing of another championship contender.

Video game-like statistics aside, it is equally as important that Fournette has ensured that LSU will march toward the College Football Playoff. That sets the stage for more marquee clashes down the stretch of the season and allows for the spotlight to continue to find him.

This week, LSU should make a push close to or into the top 10 of college football polls. With a 2-0 mark in SEC competition, the Tigers are on their way to becoming the team to beat in the league.

Such will allow for primetime meetings between LSU and the rest of the SEC, with Fournette in the center of attention. If his pair of three-touchdown performances weren’t enough already, Fournette will now have multiple opportunities for his signature Heisman moments.

Even more impressive, this is just the start of what could a legendary football career. Just a sophomore, Fournette not only has a chance to make a run at the Heisman in 2015, but perhaps next year and the year after as well.

All of the hype Fournette received leading into the season, thus far, has been justified. More amazingly, this is likely just the start.