Jan 9, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA: LSU Tigers guard Charles Carmouche (0) takes a shot over Auburn Tigers center Asauhn Dixon-Tatum (0) during the first half at Auburn Arena. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

The LSU Tigers (9-3, 1-3 away) began conference play against the Auburn Tigers (7-7, 6-3 home). Auburn is being lead by their senior guard Frankie Sullivan; he is leading the team in points per game and assists this season.

LSU’s bench man Shavon Coleman is leading the team in points 14.1 as well as rebounds 8.6. Johnny O’Bryant III is right behind him with 7.6 rebounds per game.

LSU started off slow in the first half but found themselves trailing 7-0 early in the game due to some quick buckets by Auburn’s Allen Payne. Anthony Hickey helped get the Tigers going with 7 points and 5 rebounds. Andre Stringer added two 3 pointers and a total of 8 points for the Tigers in the first half. Del Piero chipped in with 4 points 3 rebounds and 2 big blocks.

LSU settled down and got some stops defensively. Auburn cooled off and LSU played some great defense after the slow start. Although Auburn had control most of the first half the Tigers went into halftime leading the game 28-27.

Auburn went into the half and head coach Tony Barbee made some good adjustments and Auburn came out swinging. They took control of the 2^nd half from start to finish and never looked back.

LSU could not get anything going consistently and let the 1-point lead diminish and never return. Auburn proved to be the better team tonight and outlasted the LSU Tigers.

Auburn was lead by Allen Payne’s 15 points 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Frankie Sullivan adds 10 points and 5 rebounds to help Auburn hold on and win their first SEC contest of the season.

LSU really looked sloppy the whole game, it did not seem like they were hitting on all cylinders tonight. Most of the guys looked out of sync and missed shots they have normally made this season.

LSU had two scores at 13 points for the game Andre Stringer, and Anthony Hickey, Hickey also added 5 rebounds and 3 assists.

Charles Carmouche pitched in with 12 points 6 rebounds and 7 assists off the bench but his spark alone was not enough to help the Tigers.

Auburn wins this contest 68-63 at home against the LSU Tigers.

Dec 9, 2012; Tampa FL, USA; An NFL logo is seen on the field after a game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

LSU has a list of guys set to leave this season and join the NFL ranks. This could easily be the best draft class that has ever come out of LSU. There is a group of talented seniors who are set to leave and another group of underclassmen set to take the next step. All underclassmen have not declared yet but here is a short list of the seniors and underclassmen.

Underclassmen Declared:

RB Spencer Ware

Punter Brad Wing

DB Tharold Simon

LB Kevin Minter

S Eric Reid

Expected to Declare:

DE Barkevious Mingo

DE Sam Montgomery

DT Bennie Logan

Seniors Leaving:

WR Russell Sheppard

PK Drew Alleman

Center PJ Lonergan

OG Josh Dworaczyk

OT Alex Hurst

DT Josh Downs

DE Lavar Edwards

The most LSU players drafted in one NFL draft is 8 but this was also back when the NFL draft was longer than 7 rounds. LSU has had several classes in the last 10 years have 7 players drafted. With the list given above I cannot imagine a scenario that at least 8 of these guys get drafted and more sign undrafted free agent contracts with others teams.

Some mock draft projections baring some of these guys declare which I fully expect them to, have as many as 4 LSU players being taken in the first round. Those players would be Barkevious Mingo, Sam Montgomery, Eric Reid, and Kevin Minter.

The LSU Tigers (9-2, 5-2) and Arkansas Razorbacks (4-7. 2-5) are set to play their annual Friday after Thanksgiving game. The Golden Boot was established in 1996 and is one of the heaviest trophies in college football. LSU has won 10 of the last 16 games in this annual rivalry but Arkansas has won 3 of the last 5. This game is always a tight one despite each teams record.

Do not be fooled by Arkansas’ rough year, they have been sloppy of late but do have talent on the field. Tyler Wilson has thrown for over 3000 yards for the Razorbacks this year but has 12 interceptions to go with 20 touchdowns and that has been their Achilles heel. The Razorbacks have had turnovers shoot them in the foot every week and LSU is known for forcing turnovers and putting pressure on the offense with their strong front seven.

Kevin Minter LSU’s linebacker is a finalist for the best linebacker in college football due to his epic performance this year. He has been defensive player of the week numerous times this season and seems to be in the right place at the right time every time. The defense has been the strong point for this team all season, they have enabled the offense when struggling to be in good field position and have kept the offense from playing from behind.

Now the LSU offense looks to be in a groove and hitting on all cylinders. The running game with Jeremy Hill has really allowed the passing game to open up and throw the deep ball. Mettenberger has been a lot more accurate and connecting with his receivers for big gains. This game this week would really submit their efficiency if they can have yet another solid offensive game.

Arkansas is playing with the hopes of getting their 5^th win and a shot at a bowl game. LSU is playing to hopefully get a BCS bowl game or hope the BCS turns on its head again in the next few weeks and LSU could possibly end up in the Championship game just like they did in 2007. I know I will be sitting down eating leftovers tomorrow afternoon and watching LSU for the last time this regular season and just maybe I will get to sit for the entire game if we can win this one convincingly. LSU left on Thanksgiving day to head to Fayetteville to prepare and get a good nights rest before the big game tomorrow.

GAME TIME: Friday at 2:30 pm ET on CBS

LSU Leaders

Passing: Mettenberger – 177-300, 2272 yds, 10 tds

Rushing: Hill – 112 car, 554 yds, 9 tds

Receiving: Beckham – 36 rec, 561 yds, 2 tds

Arkansas Leaders

Passing: Wilson – 218-349, 3028 yds, 20 tds

Rushing: Johnson – 131 car, 727 yds, 8 tds

Receiving: Hamilton – 80 rec, 1237 yds, 5 tds