The Matchup: No. 15 LSU (4-1) at No. 5 Auburn (4-0)
The Venue: Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama
The Kick: 7:00 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN

Series Record: LSU leads, 27-20-1

Last Meeting: LSU jumped out to a 21-0 lead in the first half and held on to beat Auburn, 35-21. Jeremy Hill carried the load for the Bayou Bengals with 184 yards on the ground and 2 TDs.

Coaches: Les Miles (99-25), Gus Malzahn (16-2)

Last game (LSU): Brandon Harris provided a spark when he came into the game at quarterback and powered LSU to a 63-7 win over New Mexico State.

Last game (Auburn): Auburn handled Louisiana Tech, 45-17. The offense sputtered a bit in the first half but made plays late to put the game away comfortably

LSU wins if: The defense can slow down Auburn’s running game enough for LSU’s possibly rejuvenated offense to keep up. LSU is giving up 4.5 yards per carry and 161 yards per game, both at the bottom of the SEC. Auburn wins with its tempo running game, and for LSU to have a chance they’ll have to limit that aspect.

Auburn wins if: The offense returns to form. It has yet to be real sharp, a la the last eight games of last season. Nick Marshall and Cameron Artis-Payne need to have big games, and Sammie Coates has to get healthy and get involved. Duke Williams has been the Tigers’ best threat outside.

What it means if LSU wins: The SEC West is even more wide-open that previously thought. LSU looked to be out of the picture after getting it handed to them by Mississippi State, but a win on the road over Auburn would muddle the picture even more than it is now.

What it means if Auburn wins: The Tigers from the Plains will be a step closer to repeating as SEC West champions. Even a big win over a divisional rival doesn’t guarantee future success, but it would be a big notch on their belt if Auburn can secure this win.