Taking a position-by-position look at Saturday’s showdown in Baton Rouge, La., here’s what to watch for between LSU and Auburn:

QUARTERBACK – Push: In the offseason, this looked like it would be a clear Auburn advantage, but Jeremy Johnson hasn’t lived up to expectations yet. Johnson has thrown more interceptions (five) than touchdowns (three) through Week 2. LSU’s Brandon Harris is somewhat of an unknown commodity right now, going 9-for-14 for 71 yards against Mississippi State, LSU’s only complete game of the season. Harris also ran the ball nine times for 48 yards, but he’s not the primary LSU ball-carrier.

RUNNING BACKS – LSU: LSU offensive coordinator Cam Cameron rode his workhorse, Leonard Fournette, for 28 carries (159 yards, three touchdowns) against Mississippi State to come away with a 21-19 win. Fournette has been a dominating ball carrier since his breakout game last season, a 27-carry, 140-yard performance against Florida, the team formerly coached by current Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp.

Auburn’s Peyton Barber has asserted himself as the top back and is running well in two games so far this season, recording 240 yards on 47 carries. Roc Thomas’ role should increase once he overcomes a nagging ankle injury.

WIDE RECEIVERS, TIGHT ENDS – Auburn: At the top, this is statistically about as close as you can get between returning pass catchers. LSU’s Travin Dural recorded 758 yards on 37 catches last season. Auburn’s Duke Williams pulled in 45 catches for 730 yards. The fact that Johnson throws more passes per game than Harris, and is giving senior Ricardo Louis increased targets (13 catches, 130 yards) tips this in the Plainsmen’s favor heading into Week 3.

OFFENSIVE LINE – Push: Both teams are working this season to fill major voids (LSU LT La’el Collins, Auburn C Reese Dismukes, RG Chris Slade), but also return starting experience in at least three spots. With the 2015 season still in the early weeks, it’s difficult to tell how each line will gel finding the right mix of the best five linemen.

DEFENSIVE LINE – Auburn: AU lacks depth on the defensive line, but does return a solid core in DT Montravius Adams, DE Carl Lawson and DE DaVonte Lambert. LSU tends to let the secondary do the heavy lifting on pass defense. The Bayou Bengals are without last year’s top defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Jermauria Rasco, but do return starting defensive tackles Davon Godchaux and Christian LaCoutoure. Freshman Arden Key already is producing as a pass rusher as well.

LINEBACKERS – Push: Auburn returns a solid mix of depth and talent at linebacker led by two of the team’s top tacklers, seniors Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost. LSU’s Kendell Beckwith is a run-stopping force, registering 77 tackles last season, including 7.5 tackles-for-loss.

SECONDARY – LSU: Even without injured S Jalen Mills right now, the edge still belongs to one of the SEC schools regularly mentioned in the DBU (Defensive Back University) debate. Last year’s No. 3 passing defense loses stud S Ronald Martin, but returns experience in safeties Jamal Adams, Corey Thompson and Rickey Jefferson. Top CB Jalen Collins has also departed, but cornerbacks Tre’Davious White and Dwayne Thomas should provide solid pass coverage.

Auburn returns a pair of defensive backs who accounted for 9 interceptions last season in Jonathan Jones (6) and Johnathan Ford (3). Even with the picks, the AU secondary was unable to control the big play, coming in at No. 68 last season in passing yards allowed. The unit will benefit by learning from Muschamp and secondary coach Travaris Robinson, but it’s not there yet.