Since 2000, LSU has put 17 Tiger defensive backs on NFL rosters. Recruiting the best athletes for these positions is a priority and LSU has been successful in the endeavor. It also doesn’t hurt that many play as true freshmen and eventually end up in the NFL. In 2011, LSU will have three players who could start for any team in the nation. Ron Brooks, Morris Claiborne, and Tyrann Mathieu will all be splitting time on the island this year.

Claiborne and Mathieu are penciled in as starters, but don’t count out Brooks. He will spend a lot of time on the field due to Chavis’ multiple uses for Mathieu. How does this equal a bona fide replacement for Patrick Peterson? Easy enough. While Peterson was taking away whole sides of fields from opposing offenses, it was Morris Claiborne who was quietly shutting things down on the other side. When LSU needed a big-time play and Peterson was covering a post or fly pattern down field, it was Mathieu turning into a one man wrecking crew. Who filled in when someone had to come off the field? Ron Brooks. All this happened with little to no drop-off in execution or performance. Patrick Peterson earned his bones and all the respect that goes with it, but his attitude and mentoring has left the Tiger cornerbacks in very good shape for many years to come.

What about replacing Drake Nevis? Kelvin Sheppard?

How do you make up for losing the motor of the defensive line as well as the team captain and leading tackler? Recruiting. Plain and simple: if you are LSU, you go sign the top rated defensive lineman in the country, Anthony “Freak” Johnson, bring him early and have him make the two-deep during spring drills. Then give him four months with Tommy Moffitt in the weight room and have him emerge as something more than human. The whole time, every last person in the program, even the cleaning lady, declares that there is no way that Freak Johnson stays off the field his freshman year, and that he is going to be dominant from the first snap. That’s how you make up for the loss of Nevis. That isn’t even mentioning the talent around Johnson in the rotation. Josh Down, Michael Brockers and Bennie Logan will all be mixing up with Johnson to draw double teams and wreak havoc on opposing offenses. FYI, since 2002, 14 Tiger defensive linemen have made NFL rosters. Johnson could be the cream of that crop.

Making up for Sheppard might not be that easy. Although his production can be made up through team contribution, it is the leadership aspects that need to be in place by the opening of fall camp. The 2011 linebacker corps has all the talent, speed and athleticism to make the plays from sideline to sideline. What is lacks is experience. Senior Ryan Baker will lead a two deep littered with freshmen and sophomores. While Baker, Kevin Minter and Stefoin Francois will all contribute, it will likely be safety Brandon Taylor calling the shots on defense. However, reading alignments and making adjustments doesn’t motivate a fellow player to find the stones to make a desperately needed big play. Sheppard had that quality. Hopefully, one or many are cultivating that spirit during team workouts and preparations for fall camp.

The Rest of the Gang

The defensive ends and safeties should be feeding off of each other greatly. John Chavis has stated that in no time in his career has he ever accumulated so much talent and speed at the end position. The two deep is loaded with legitimate SEC starters. Sam Montgomery is back from injury to rejoin his fellow merchants of menace, Lavar Edwards, Ken Adams and Barkevious Mingo. Chavis has claimed that Mingo will be the premier pass rusher in the SEC, bar none. Add to that mix, Ego Ferguson, who can move in and out along the line to create mismatches on any given down. Combined with stout pressure from the middle, opposing quarterbacks will have to get rid of the ball quick or get planted into the turf.

That type of pressure limits passing options, especially when combined with lock down corners. It also creates mismatches in protection, both of which benefit safeties. Brandon Taylor, Craig Loston, Karnell Hatcher and up and comer, Tharold Simon should enjoy a feast of errant passes, open lane blitzes and blowing up last resort receivers. While Taylor and Hatcher bring experience to the game, it is the big hitting ability of Loston that will likely draw the most comparisons to LaRon Landry and Chad Jones, two of the most ferocious Tiger playmakers in the past decade. Simon showed in the Spring Game that he has the talent to be on the field, which is no easy feat, considering all the talent on LSU’s defense.

Who will be “That Guy”?

By the end of 2010 all opposing offenses had starting accounting for a Tiger wildcard. He made plays behind the line of scrimmage, in the flats and in the secondary. His ability allowed John Chavis to play fast and furious on almost every down. This “Little Ball of Hate” terrorized opponents as a TRUE FRESHMAN (59 Tackles, 4.5 Sacks, 2 FF, 2INT). Tyrann Mathieu will be that guy for John Chavis. Mathieu adopted Patrick Peterson’s No. 7 and is ready to carry on the legacy of opposing offenses avoiding the number like the plague. The talent on the LSU defense is exceptional, and this allows Chavis to use Mathieu as nasty, ball hawking, destruction bent equivalent of a Swiss Army Knife. Mathieu can be relied upon to produce under any circumstance or condition, in other words – That Guy.

4-14, 102 yards passing, 31 yards rushing, 1TD, 1 INT, 2 Fumbles, and 2 Sacks.  If you want to prove to the fans that you have improved, you don’t have a spring game stat line like this.  I don’t care how any coach or any person wants to spin it, Jordan Jefferson did not have a good game.  Where were all of the TD passes we heard about during practice?

Where was the decision making and leadership?  I have watched the practice twice and Jefferson looks the same.   Exactly. The. Same.

Jordan showed that he can’t stay in the pocket and find an open man after his first look.  He takes too much time to make a decision and is lucky to have the feet to bail him out.  His rushing yards aren’t so much a product of keeping a play alive as they are a result of him being confused.  Jordan has trouble looking off his receivers and finding plan B when the hot route isn’t open.  Also, for those of you making the insane comparison to Cam Newton, Jordan isn’t going to line up and pile up rushing yards because he isn’t a threat to beat you with the pass.  Opposing defenses know this and will be keeping him in the pocket.  Coach Kragthorpe better pull Mett along quickly and hope Jefferson can manage the offense enough to let the rushing attack and defense win the games….again.

Speaking of Mett, he is the real deal.  Laser beam on the slants and outs and great touch on the deep ball.  If it weren’t for a couple of fantastic plays by the LSU secondary, Mett’s performance (5-8, 87 yards, 1 TD) would have eclipsed Jefferson’s.  For now, Miles and company are protecting the senior QB, but that changes in the fall.  In the fall it is about the W’s and who can get them, not lose them.  Jefferson better push himself like crazy, because his position and a championship are riding on his commitment.  Fortunately for Jefferson, he knows how to win despite his limitations and if Kragthorpe can channel this, Jefferson might be able to keep a hold of the reigns while leading the Tigers to New Orleans.

Luckily, for all the Tiger QBs, there is an embarrassment of riches at the RB position.  Spencer Ware ran for 94 yards and had 51 yards receiving.  He should be penciled in as starter and should create some real mismatches coming out of the back field..  He has great power between the tackles and is a legitimate receiving threat.  Alfred Blue and Jakhari Gore both showed some great footwork.  Blue showed a nice second gear once he hit the corner and Gore could be that change of pace, turn your ankles to jell-o, scat back that Trindon Holliday was envisioned to be.  Gore has great burst through the gap and a tremendous first move that puts him in the secondary in a flash.  Also in the mix will be Michael Ford and Kenny Hilliard.  Both were inactive for the Spring Game, but both are punishing runners with the ability to pile up yards after first contact.

Making time and lanes for the backfield will be an experienced and improved offensive line.  Blackwell is back at guard and it looks like Chris Faulk has locked up the left tackle position.  Lonergan has cemented himself into the center position while Hurst and Dworaczyk bring the beef back on the right side.  Hebert is capable of playing all interior positions and there will be tons of talented depth once the super recruits, led by La’el Collins show up.

In the receiver department, Randle and Shepard have the 1 and 2 spots locked up.  The battle for the third spot is turning into a war.  Both Kadron Boone and James Wright are flashing future number 1 skills while vying for the last starting role.  On Saturday, Wright was making all the hard catches and chucking defensive players while Boone was able to turn on the jets for his routes.  However, all of this will be for naught if no one can get the ball to them.

On the defensive side of the ball, John Chavis has a full arsenal at his disposal.  His two-deep are all capable of starting and with six starters sidelined; others stepped up and put their names in the mix.  Tharold Simon made his presence known as a future star at cornerback.  He just has to fight past Tyrann Mathieu and Morris Claiborne.  Simon is just another reason that LSU will be fielding the best secondary in the nation next year. Safeties Eric Reid and Craig Loston also played extremely well.  Crazy as it seems, LSU’s secondary will be better next year, even with the loss of Patrick Peterson.

This will make life miserable for opposing QBs because the Tiger defensive line will be flying into the backfield.  This speed combined with the coverage from the secondary will be a nightmare for offensive coordinators.  Adams, Montgomery and Mingo are lighting quick coming off the end.  In the middle, the bulls are on parade.  Brockers, Downs and Logan all look to be dominant and none could overshadow super-freshman, Freak Johnson.  Johnson has cracked the 2 deep in just 15 practices.  He could be really special for LSU.  Dorsey special.

At linebacker, it will be toughest replacing Kelvin Sheppard.  No one player can replace his production or leadership.  It will take the whole unit.  On Saturday, the linebackers looked able.  They were quick to the ball and solid against the run.  Once they gel as a unit, they should be one of the SEC’s best.  Minter and Barrow played very well and Ryan Baker looks like he could be a real leader on the defense.

Overall, this is what you would expect from a spring game.  It was very tame with just enough spice mixed in to get a few cheers from the crowd.  Miles knows he has a serious title contender on his hand and he showed just enough of his hand to make the other coaches take notice.  However, there is no hiding the hand he has been dealt at the quarterback position.  His cards are on the table and the only questions are whether Mettenberger can be pocket aces this year and if Jefferson can turn into a wild card instead of a deuce.  We will have the answers to those two questions on September 4^th.  The day after LSU takes on the Oregon Ducks in what will likely be a top 5 match-up.

In New Orleans, many parades are led by the Flambeaux. To the cheers of the crowd, these men light the way and guide the procession through the night. In Baton Rouge, there is a new Flambeaux in offensive coordinator, Steve Kragthorpe. It will be up to him to raise the LSU passing game from the dead and help lead the team back to a conference championship.

Throw Me Somethin’ Mister! If you are at a parade and want some loot, you scream this. If you have been a receiver at LSU for the past two years, you are tired of screaming this. Hopefully the addition of Coach Kragthorpe will make it possible for our receivers to actually get some love. Les Miles knows he needs better QB play to have a shot at a title next year. The coach will go with who gives him the best chance to win, regardless of seniority. Mettenberger will either push Jefferson over the hump or simply take his job. The JUCO transfer is that good and LSU’s current quarterbacks are that mediocre.

The Big Chief is the leader of the Mardi Gras Indian tribes. He is the absolute ruler and gives direction to the tribe’s activities. Ole Les is now legitimately LSU’s Big Chief. His spurning of Michigan and re-upping at LSU has made him THE MAN in Baton Rouge and the SEC. Sorry if you disagree, but I am betting Les brings LSU back to Atlanta this year.

The Boeuf Gras is another cherished symbol of Mardi Gras. It is a big ox. LSU will be adding plenty of beef along both sides of the line this spring. On offense, look for Chris Faulk to make some noise at left tackle and Will Blackwell should be LSU’s best guard as well as the team’s best overall lineman. As for the defensive tackles…Early enrollee, Freak Johnson, should push for playing time along with Ego Ferguson. There’s a fun combo for you, Freak and Ego. They will be mixing it up with Josh Downs, Bennie Logan and Michael Brockers.

Courir is the Cajun version of Mardi Gras where masked revelers roam the countryside seeking ingredients for a large delicious Gumbo. Frank Wilson is Rivals 2010 recruiter of the year and I hope he continues to lead the Courir for LSU football.

Extravaganza is a huge parade after party full of razzle and dazzle held at a large venue such as the Superdome. It is very similar to the one LSU will be having at the end of next season.

Humbah! This is a Mardi Gras Indian term for “Bow Down.” Tyrann Mathieu and the LSU defense will be yelling this to opposing offenses all next year. Even with the losses of Patrick Peterson, Drake Nevis and Kelvin Sheppard, the LSU defense could be even better next year. Overall, the secondary will be more experienced and even nastier than last year. Safeties Craig Loston and Brandon Taylor are big hitters who can defend the pass as well as bring the wood against the run. At cornerback, Morris Claiborne and Mathieu both have the potential step into Peterson’s cleats. Ryan Baker will be leading a linebacker krewe that showed steady improvement last year. From the end, Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery, Lavar Edwards and Kendrick Adams will be fighting to see who is fastest to the quarterback. LSU’s speed, depth and experience at the end position could wreak havoc on opposing offenses all season long.

The Grand Marshal leads the procession and regulates the tempo. He is the best strutter in the club because of his improvisational skill, dexterity and unexpected changes of direction. In LSU’s offense, the role of Grand Marshal belongs to the running back. This spring, Michael Ford and Spencer Ware will be vying for the title of Grand Marshal. Pushing them will be Alfred Blue and early enrollee, Kenneth Hilliard.

Go-Cup. No glass containers or cans are allowed on the street in New Orleans. However, you can take your libations with you if they are in a plastic “Go-Cup.” For example, if one is leaving a bar, they would ask for a beer in a “Go-Cup” or if you are heading out to the route to catch a parade like I am about to do, you would take a “Go-Cup.”

Happy Mardi Gras!

Defensively the Tigers lost three major starters, and they are all significant.  When you thought of the LSU defense in 2010, I know you thought of DT Drake Nevis, CB Patrick Peterson, and LB Kelvin Sheppard.  Well unfortunately for LSU fans, those guys are gone.  Add in that LSU loses Jai Eugene at Safety, and those are significant losses.

Note:  Patrick Peterson was LSU’s kick/punt returner, and he was the best returner in the SEC if not the NCAA.  Replacing him will be no easy task.

Needs Met: The Tigers signed 4 O-linemen, and none were bigger than La’El Collins.  I think Collins could get on the 2-deep depth chart next year, but redshirting linemen in the SEC is never a bad thing.  In the offensive backfield they signed 2 QB’s and a running back.  JUCO QB Zach Mettenberger looks ready to step in if Jefferson and Lee go through any slumps.  Kenny Hilliard is the lone running back in this class, and at 6’0” 220, he could be a serious option for a 3^rd down back.  Three receivers were signed in this class, and while WR Jarvis Landry is the biggest name, I think that WR Odell Beckham Jr. has been overlooked.  These two guys could make a big push to get on the field next fall.

Moving to the defensive signings, the Tigers added depth to their defensive backfield by signing 4 DB’s.  I don’t think any of these guys will start next year, but Jalen Collins is the one that has a real chance to play.  James Hairston is the lone LB in the class, and I believe that he is bound for a redshirt.  LSU made their biggest recruiting splash with the signings on the D-Line.  They signed 4 D-Linemen, and it will be tough to keep three of them off the field next year.  Mickey Johnson, Jermauria Rasco, and Anthony Johnson are all monster recruits.  Any of the three could be on the field next year (if not all of them).

Biggest Get: I think with the loss of DT Drake Nevis, Anthony Johnson may be the biggest recruit in this class.  Johnson is a big time interior D-Line player, and he will help the Tigers not miss Nevis as much.

Biggest Miss: Losing WR Bradley Sylve to Alabama is a tough loss.  Not that LSU didn’t sign any quality receivers, just the fact that Sylve went to rival Alabama is what makes it a tough loss.

Final Evaluation: There may be a few guys that go out of state, but LSU perennially locks down the state of Louisiana.  This year was no change, as LSU signed the top 5 players in state.  LSU has a ton of talent on the roster, and they convinced a ton of talent to sign in this recruiting class.  This team really has no holes on the roster, and that is the reason they are poised to make a serious run at a National Championship.

Final Grade:  A (The only reason it’s not an A+ is because LSU needed one high profile linebacker)

Here are the early 2011 SEC West predictions:

1. LSU – LSU is sitting pretty right now entering 2011.  Les Miles has stayed true to Baton Rouge, rejecting his old school and more money in order to lead his LSU Tigers in 2011 and in the future.  As always, LSU recruiting is hitting on all cylinders.  They lose some great players like Patrick Peterson, Drake Nevis and Kelvin Sheppard.  They also lost Stevan Ridley who is entering the NFL.  With that said, LSU will have a new quarterback potentially in Georgia transfer Zach Mettenberger.  There’s a lot of hype around this kid, but even if Jordan Jefferson is the QB next year, it means he beat out a tough Mettenberger to get the job.  LSU might actually be known as an offensive team in 2011.  RB Spencer Ware looked outstanding in the Cotton Bowl and should be able to fill the role nicely without Ridley.  LSU just flat out gets athletes and will be able to plug them in where needed.  LSU goes all-in on the opener, with a game against Oregon in Dallas to start the season.  The winner of this game is immediately in the national championship picture.  The biggest problem?  Having to play Alabama in Tuscaloosa.  Winner of this game will likely win the west.  For now, I’m going with LSU, but not by much.

2. Alabama – Alabama will have a new quarterback, lost their Heisman trophy winner in Mark Ingram, and other key players like Marcell Dareus and Julio Jones.  With that said, Tide fans can feel confident in Saban’s ability to keep this machine running.  The Tide defense will be outstanding in 2011 with studs Dont’a Hightower and Mark Barron coming back for their senior seasons.  The defensive line will have some new monsters in Jesse Williams and a load of young talent fighting for positions.  A name you might see early on some Heisman boards is Trent Richardson who will now be the featured running back.  The nation has seen what Richardson can do, and getting many more carries in 2011, he can put up some serious numbers.  Alabama will be an excellent football team in 2011 and if they can knock off LSU at home mid-season, look for the Tide to make a run at the west, the SEC and maybe the BCS.

3. Arkansas – Ryan Mallett is gone, but we saw a glimpse of how good Tyler Wilson can be in the Auburn game from 2010.  Wilson will have possibly the best group of receivers to throw to in Joe Adams, Greg Childs, Cobi Hamilton and Jarius Wright.  Adams had a miserable Sugar Bowl, but the guy can make some serious plays happen.  On the ground, look for Knile Davis to have a killer year after a huge second half of 2010.  This guy is the real deal.  The bottom line is that the Arkansas offense will put up big numbers, especially with Bobby Petrino doing his thing.  If the defense can be respectable, Arkansas will do very next year.

4. Mississippi State – The Bulldogs lost defensive coordinator Manny Diaz, but the program has great momentum right now and this should continue into 2011.  The bowl win against Michigan shows the this team is a legit football team.  While the quality of athlete on the team isn’t as good as some of the other big teams in the division, I think Mississippi State gets over the hurdle and knocks off one of the big boys (something they weren’t able to do in the west in 2010).  With that said, they’ll still lose a few games.  I like them to repeat with 8 wins, maybe 9.

5. Auburn – While Auburn fans are always quick to point out that their team was more than a one-man show in Cam Newton in 2010 (which is debatable), the team is losing much more than just Cam Newton. Nick Fairley is the other big name who is leaving; he was able to do enough by his lonesome to make the Auburn defense somewhat impactful.  Auburn is losing four of their top five tacklers.  Worse yet, four starting offensive linemen will be gone.  While Malzahn will be able to get his offense to produce (especially with Michael Dyer running the ball), this is just too many losses to win the tough games in 2011.  Let’s face it, 2011 will be a rebuilding year to some degree, but it’s not worth getting upset about Auburn fans, after all, you’re BCS champions!

6. Ole Miss – The Jeremiah Masoli experiment was a bust in 2010 with the Rebels having a very disappointing season including a loss against Jacksonville State University.  Unfortunately, I don’t see a much better season in 2011 for Ole Miss, especially as the other five teams in the west continue to look solid moving forward.  The competition is too fierce.  Houston Nutt and the words “hot seat” might start to get used in the same sentence sooner rather than later.

Seven LSU players earned spots on the Coach’s All SEC Team.  Stevan Ridley (RB), Drake Nevis (DT), and Kelvin Sheppard (LB) all made the first team.  Patrick Peterson doubled down and earned the honor as both a cornerback and a return specialist.  LSU also placed three Tigers on the second team.  Making that list were Josh Jasper (K), Joseph Barksdale (OL), and Morris Claiborne (CB).

While on the subject of accolades, Jerry Stovall was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame on December 7^th.  Stovall, an RB, was an All-American and finished second in Heisman voting in 1962.  He was also the head coach of the Tigers from 1980-1983.

In recruiting news, RB Jeremy Hill has decommitted.  Although he is still a strong lean to LSU, Hill plans on visiting more schools before officially announcing in February.  Those schools include Alabama, Auburn, Tennessee and Florida State.

Zach Mettenberger will be arriving at LSU around Dec. 17^th.  He will be able to work with the team during bowl preparations but will not be eligible to play.  Mettenberger will be a full participant in spring and should push for the starting position.  Why?  In 2010, Mettenberger completed 59% of his passes for 2,678 yards and 32 touchdowns.  LSU‘s QBs completed 57% of their passes for 1865 yards and 7 touchdowns (1 TD was a halfback pass by Spencer Ware.).

The Tigers are taking a break from the gridiron this week for finals.  Practice will resume next week for bowl preparations.

This is the entire AP SEC First Team selection. Players with an asterisk are unanimous selections at their positions.

QB Cam Newton, Auburn*
RB Marcus Lattimore, South Carolina*
RB Knile Davis, Arkansas
Util Randall Cobb, Kentucky
WR Julio Jones, Alabama
WR Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina
TE D.J. Williams, Arkansas*
OL Derrick Sherrod, Mississippi State
OL Barrett Jones, Alabama
OL DeMarcus Love, Arkansas
OL Ryan Pugh, Auburn
OL Lee Ziemba, Auburn

DE Devin Taylor, South Carolina
DT Drake Nevis, LSU*
DT Nick Fairley, Auburn*
LB/DE Justin Houston, Georgia
LB Kelvin Sheppard, LSU
LB Chris White, Mississippi State
LB Danny Trevathan, Kentucky
CB Patrick Peterson, LSU*
CB Janoris Jenkins, Florida
S Ahmad Black, Florida
S Mark Barron, Alabama

PK Josh Jasper, LSU*
P Chas Henry, Florida

Apparently, this is the new mantra for LSU and Coach Les Miles. It joins such favorites in the Les Miles lexicon like “My Damn Strong Football Team” and “Have a Great Day.” The victory against Alabama has made Les a media darling not to be poked fun of, but rather a college football folk hero that should be considered a treasure to the sport. It’s funny how winning alters perception. Another example of this…Would there be an inferno in Toomer’s Corner if Auburn was 6-3? Maybe, but, probably not.

Speaking of Auburn, is it too soon to say LSU is undefeated against teams with eligible players? “Camgate” is starting to cast a long and vile shadow across this year’s SEC season and leaving many to doubt the validity of Auburn’s record. I really don’t want to take away what Auburn has done on the field this year, but all the smoke is too hard to ignore. In Louisiana, the venom is starting to boil over as many realize that LSU is probably undefeated and a BCS title contender if Cam isn’t at Auburn. Many are very anxious to see how quickly this plays out.

However, we can’t change the past and LSU must focus on winning its three remaining games against ULM, Ole Miss, and Arkansas. Finishing 11-1 will put LSU in favorable position for an At-Large BCS invite and a top 5 finish. This would wildly exceed the expectations of many who thought the Bayou Bengals would not win more than seven or eight games this year. As for a shot at the title, at the very minimum, Oregon, Auburn and TCU would have to take a loss for LSU to make the game. Stranger things have happened though…2007 anyone?

For any BCS talk to happen, LSU needs to take care of business this week. Coach Les Miles is preparing his team for the Warhawks’ best shot. ULM is not afraid to go at it with SEC teams and took down Alabama at Bryant-Denny in Saban’s first year. This game will give the Tigers an opportunity to build on the success from last week and get in a groove for the remaining SEC games. It will also mark the return of guard Will Blackwell, who was injured in the UNC game. Blackwell was considered the Tiger’s best and nastiest lineman and it will be interesting to see if he can regain that form in time for Ole Miss and Arkansas. Defensive back, Brandon Taylor is out for the game. Although the Tiger faithful would love to see LSU cover the 34 point spread, the staff will do just enough to keep the game out of reach for the Warhawks. Les Miles will get the starters some work in the first half and then work in some younger players and reward some seldom used back-ups with playing time. Aside from winning, the main focus will be getting some solid work done and keeping the starters healthy.

Nevis-tation. Drake Nevis’ performance against Alabama earned him the Walter Camp award for the best defensive player in the nation last week. Nevis registered seven tackles, one sack, forced a fumble, broke up a pass and generally made life miserable for the Alabama offensive line. Not to be outshined, Kelvin Sheppard earned SEC defensive player of the week honors for his efforts against Alabama, which included seven tackles, a half sack, a fumble recovery and an interception.

Dear Saturday Down South,

I have been seeing the love you’ve been giving the Auburn team. Guess what? The most talented defense they will see all year – even better and faster than their hated rivals Alabama – will exploit Auburn’s one-dimensional offense.

That’s right – Kelvin Sheppard will bring that noise against the option attack. LSU will hold Newton to 200 total yards or under. Mark it down – nothing over the Mendoza Line (that’s .200 for you diamond lovers).

Patrick Peterson will be covering your best wide receiver – your only wide receiver – Darvin Adams, and he will shut him down.

Les will be Les, and he’ll pull something crazy out of that bucket hat to bring down the media-infested Auburn Tigers. All they are is a bucket of hype waiting to tip over. They will be exposed this weekend by a fast, physical LSU defense.

We will come into your house, take your pride away and hand you the first loss of the season. Stevan Ridley will run all day long on your soft defense. Russell Sheppard will have the best game he’s had all year and will take a long one to the house.

We might not be pretty, but pretty doesn’t win ball games. That’s what Auburn’s offense is – pretty.

So, pretty boys, LSU will bring the noise in your house and leave the blue tigers licking their pretty little wounds on Sunday.

Geaux Tigers!

One of the biggest games of the year will take place this Saturday between Auburn and LSU. It will be strength against strength – the Auburn rushing offense against the LSU rushing defense.

As we all know, Auburn has the highest scoring offense in the league right now, averaging 40.7 points and 283 yards on the ground per game. What you may not know is LSU’s rushing defense has dominated the run this year and leads the conference, only giving up a mere 83 yards per game.

What if John Chavis and the LSU defense can make Cameron Newton one-dimensional? What if they take away the option and make Newton beat them through the air? Auburn does have three other running backs to help Newton carry the load in Onterio McCalebb, Michael Dyer and Mario Fannin. I have been waiting to see this vaunted rushing attack go up against a legit defense and have yet to see it this year so far. Auburn has pretty much scored at will behind Newton and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn.

LSU’s defense is very fast and physical. Obviously, their star player is at corner in Patrick Peterson, but their leading tackler is linebacker Kelvin Sheppard. Sheppard is the second leading tackler in the conference, and he looks to be the leader on the defensive side of the ball. Up front, the senior Drake Nevis has played outstanding at defensive tackle, as he is second in the conference with five total sacks. The LSU front four ate up the Gators two weeks ago, and they found themselves in the backfield early and often in the first half before adjustments were made at halftime.

John Chavis will try to make Newton one-dimensional by taking away the ground game. This is where Auburn wide receivers and LSU corners will go to battle. Auburn’s best receiver is Darvin Adams, as he has 23 catches for 419 yards and two touchdowns so far – Peterson will likely cover him, as he tends to shut down every opponent’s best receiver. Auburn is averaging 10.5 yards per pass play, though.

How will Newton and the offense react to a fast, physical defense in the LSU Tigers? It remains to be seen, but I can promise you one thing – this game will have some big-time hitting going on out there, and this will most-definitely be the fastest defense the Auburn offense has seen all year.

Who gets the better of the two?