LSU has done a lot of good stuff this season.

It is 7-0, 3-0 in the SEC, ranked No. 2.

It has won 5 of those games by an average margin of 38 points, escaped Texas with a 7-point win, pulled away to beat Florida by 14.

The passing offense has been elite week in and week out. The running game has been good, but inconsistent. The special teams have been solid The defense has been inconsistent, but better of late.

But now things are getting serious. Next up is No. 9 Auburn on Saturday afternoon in Tiger Stadium. Then an open date and the showdown at No. 1 Alabama.

It’s time to put all the pieces together and have a complete, top-shelf performance in all 3 phases for 60 minutes.

Here are 5 things I want to see from LSU against Auburn:

1. A bona fide, big-time pass rush

Dave Aranda knows a lot more about coordinating a defense than I do, so I’m sure he has good reasons for being reluctant to blitz.

He generally has spent the 1st half of games counting on his defensive line to produce a pass rush and watching opposing quarterbacks operate with lots and lots of time. Then somewhere in the 2nd half he starts to bring more people, from different angles, and the pass rush arrives and the quarterback struggles.

They got just enough of a pass rush in the 2nd half to get past Texas, plenty enough to slow down Florida when it counted most.

But there’s no reason to wait this week. Bring it on from the get-go. Linebackers, DBs, stunts, twists, disguises.

Bo Nix is a freshman quarterback. A good quarterback, but a freshman.

It’s a top 10 battle in Tiger Stadium. He shouldn’t be allowed to be comfortable. If you rush 3 or 4 against an offensive line that Ed Orgeron said is the best LSU has faced, Nix will have time to think and pass without much pressure.

He might settle in, gain confidence and carve up the defense the way another inexperienced quarterback – Florida’s Kyle Trask – did.

Pressure him early and often. Hit him. Make him antsy. Force him to decide quicker than he would like, to move off his spot with regularity. Watch him become jittery – in the 1st quarter, not the 3rd.

Sure, the more pass rushers you bring, the greater the risk of getting popped for a big play. That’s an acceptable risk/reward. Joe Burrow and the offense can make up for a couple of big hitters.

Plus, this is a doubled-edge sword. More pressure brings more big defensive plays, too.

Orgeron said the improving health of the defensive line finally has the rotation about where he wants it.

That’s great, but it’s not enough. Hit Nix with everything you’ve got for 60 minutes.

That’s LSU defense.

2. Room to run

The running game doesn’t have to be great. And Orgeron said this is the best defensive line LSU has faced. (Yeah, he was in full praise-the-opponent mode this week, but he ain’t lyin’.)

Burrow needs some balance. The defense needs some rest. Give Clyde Edwards-Helaire, who Orgeron called “a program-saver,” some daylight.

Auburn has the pass rush to disrupt Burrow from time to time. Even though Burrow seems able to handle just about any circumstances, giving him a viable running game would be helpful – as it was against Utah State and Florida.

Florida’s Lamical Perine sealed the Gators’ win over Auburn with an 88-yard TD run. Give Edwards-Helaire some opportunities, too.

3. Better red-zone efficiency

Yeah, LSU has scored on every red-zone possession this season – all 39 of them.

That includes 31 touchdowns (18 passing 13 rushing) and 8 field goals.

But touchdowns are always better than field goals and last week LSU’s 1st 3 possessions against Mississippi State reached the red zone and each ended with a Cade York field goal.

Burrow said similar outcomes against Auburn will lead to defeat because LSU will get fewer such opportunities against Auburn.

The expected return of wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. from a foot injury should help because his presence will prevent Auburn from doubling Justin Jefferon and Ja’Marr Chase the way State did.

Though York made those 3 field goals, he later botched an extra point and has generally been shaky. So when you get in the red zone, get in the end zone.

4. Manage Auburn’s running game

Just like the LSU running game doesn’t have to be great, the run defense doesn’t have to smother the Auburn run defense.

Auburn averages 240 rushing yards per game and Gus Malzahn knows how to run the ball. So Auburn will get some yards, even without injured Boobie Whitlow. Just limit the big plays and get periodic stops.

If Auburn can ran as it likes to do, it will move the ball, score points and keep Burrow on the sideline.

That will make defeat more likely.

5. Takeaways

Be plus-1. If you can be better, fine, but plus-1 should be good enough.

The LSU offense has generally been good with its ball security. Joe Burrow has thrown 29 TD passes and just 3 interceptions. The Tigers have lost just 2 fumbles.

LSU’s defense started slowly with the takeaways. Then the interceptions started coming. Then last week the fumble recoveries came. Keep it up.

Auburn is tied for the SEC lead with 10 fumble recoveries, so that’s a danger.

But win the turnover battle and you win the game.