LSU is a familiar for Auburn coach Gus Malzahn, but this year’s Bayou Bengals. The 2019 LSU Tigers have climbed to No. 2 in the rankings thanks to a high-powered offense with a robust passing attack.

“They do numerous things very well,” Malzahn said of LSU on Wednesday’s SEC media teleconference. “You have different plans to stop different things.”

Taming the purple and gold Tigers figures to be an all-hands-on-deck assignment for AU’s defense. Veteran defensive lineman Nick Coe traveled but did not play against Arkansas. Malzahn was asked about Coe’s status on the teleconference. Malzahn said Coe had a “solid” day of practice, but indicated the staff hasn’t made a final decision on the veteran defender.

“We will know more once we get to Thursday,” Malzahn said.

Here’s what else Malzahn had to say on Wednesday:

  • On Joe Brady’s impact and LSU’s offense: No doubt it’s different, they pass to open up the run instead of run to set up the pass.
  • On Joe Burrow: He has been outstanding… almost 80 percent completion percentage, that’s off the charts at any level.
  • On Joey Gatewood: I talked about him being more involved, each game is different, we will have a different plan going in.
  • On last week’s opponent Arkansas’ struggles, is it realistic that they can be competitive in the SEC?: (Chad Morris) is building but to answer your question, yes. they have been close against some SEC opponents.
  • Is it hard to believe where they are at? : Chad took over a tough job, it’s just a matter of time.
  • On LSU-Auburn series being tough on Auburn the last few years, is that brought up?: Yeah, the last two have been very tough. the last two years, last year at home, that was tough to swallow. We have a lot of guys that have experienced both of those games… but it’s a new year and a new game.
  • On Auburn’s run game without Boobee Whitlow: We let all those RBs play, and that’s good. You will see that again this week. Our OL is improving, we just need to continue that.
  • On scripting out plays in pregame, how important is that for you? I think that’s a big factor on the road. How you start out influences the first half — sometimes the whole game.
  • On Bo Nix and what he learned in The Swamp: I think anytime you have experience for the first time with something, you will be better from it. At the same time, I have to do a better job helping him out and I feel like we have a good plan for this one.