LSU vs Auburn: Q&A with Fly War Eagle

As we look ahead to Saturday’s LSU vs Auburn matchup at Jordan-Hare Stadium, we sat down with Nicholas Ian Allen, the editor at Fly War Eagle (@FlyWarEagle on Twitter), the Auburn fan site on the Fansided network. Nicholas, who you can follow @NicholasIAllen, was kind enough to answer some of our questions in regards to this weekend’s game.

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Death Valley Voice: The LSU game last year was Auburn’s only loss heading into the BCS national championship game. How important is this year’s LSU game for Auburn?

Fly War Eagle: The way the SEC West is shaping up this season, every game is of the utmost importance. This division could completely cannibalize itself because any of the seven teams could beat anyone else on a given Saturday. The team that loses Saturday will have a huge uphill climb ahead of them to win the division.

That said this one seems to have a little extra motivation behind it from the Auburn side, given the way last year’s game shook out. Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn used the word “embarrassing” to describe the way the offense performed in the first half against LSU in 2013. There were sloppy conditions that may have contributed to sloppy play and three Auburn turnovers doomed the Tigers on the road. It sounds like Malzahn himself can’t shake what happened and wants to prove he can lead his team to a win over LSU this year.

DVV: Are there any newcomers on this year’s Auburn squad that LSU fans need to know about heading into this game?

FWE: D’haquille “Duke” Williams, a Louisiana native, is a junior college transfer in his first year at Auburn. Williams wasted no time establishing himself as the go to receiver for the Auburn offense and has 23 catches for 357 yards and two touchdowns so far, which has been huge since Sammie Coates has been hobbled with an injury.

Another JUCO transfer, DaVonte Lambert, has made a push for a starting role on the defensive line. Auburn has struggled to get a consistent pass rush from the front four, but Lambert has been the best of the bunch thus far and leads the team with 2.5 sacks.

Otherwise, there are some new pieces on the offensive line. Shon Coleman has replaced Greg Robinson at left tackle, and has done a solid job so far. Chad Slade and Avery Young flip flopped positions at right and left guard last week, and Patrick Miller – the starting right tackle – suffered an injury that puts his services in question for Saturday. If Miller can’t go, Devonte Danzey will get his first start.

DVV: Auburn runs the type of offense that can really give other teams fits. Can you talk about the scheme and personnel? Do you anticipate a run-heavy game plan this week, given LSU’s issues so far this year in defending the run?

FWE: Malzahn has certainly made a name for himself as an offensive coach. People talk a lot about X’s and O’s with the Auburn offense, but like Malzahn says the Tigers “run the power, counter and inside zone and everyone knows it.” What he and the Auburn coaching staff do as well as anyone in college football is to wear down opposing defenses with an up-tempo attack and power running game.

Interestingly enough, however, the offense hasn’t been operating as efficiently as fans would hope in 2014 – at least it seems that way through the first four games. Auburn was at its best last year when they decided to commit to the rushing attack first and foremost (after the LSU game, as it happens). But this year, there has been an emphasis on becoming more balanced, and in my personal opinion, that has resulted in forcing the passing game more than necessary. For Auburn to have its best chance at success Saturday, I think there should be a more run-heavy game plan.

As for personnel, people are beginning to come around to the fact that Auburn is not really a “spread” offense. The Tigers use a tight end and/or an H-back on nearly every play, and often will have two running backs in the game – though Corey Grant usually lines up as a slot receiver that comes in motion on speed sweeps.

They move all of those players around quite a bit and give the defense a lot of different formations to adjust to. It can be very difficult for the defense to simply line up correctly, especially when Auburn is operating at a fast tempo, which creates a major advantage for the offense – even if they run three plays over and over.

DVV: How do you think Auburn’s defense looks against the LSU offense? With Brandon Harris named as the starter, Auburn can game plan for him; however, is there enough film to review given his limited playing time?

FWE: It’s interesting that Malzahn seems very confident about defending Brandon Harris. When asked about it this week, he kept referring to how much Auburn recruited Harris and how they know all about him because of what they saw in high school. Of course, Harris has grown and matured since then, and he now has Cam Cameron calling plays for him, so it will be rather different.

More importantly, however, is that Harris has played quite a bit through the first five games. Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has seen Harris play against quality competition in Wisconsin and Mississippi State, which is valuable, in addition to the extended stretches he’s played in the blowout victories. When you add it all together, I think there is plenty of film on Harris, and nothing will be all that surprising to the Auburn coaching staff or the defense.

But, Harris’ talent and ability as a quarterback is obvious. Not being surprised by a player is one thing, but being able to stop him is quite another – especially if linebackers Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost are sidelined with the injuries they suffered last week.

The Auburn defense has gained a lot of confidence this season, and truthfully has carried the team through the last two games. They’ll be ready mentally; we just don’t yet how ready they’ll be physically.

DVV: Regarding Auburn’s strengths and weaknesses, where do you see LSU potentially having success and difficulty this week?

FWE: Overall, the play of the Auburn defense has been very encouraging in 2014, especially when it comes to stopping the run. One positive for the Tigers that comes with the lack of a consistent pass rush is that Auburn has a bigger front four than many teams, and they are good run stoppers.

The linebackers have been solid, but both Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost were forced out of last week’s game with injuries and remain questionable for Saturday. The position is the thinnest on the roster for Auburn, so if one or both can’t go Saturday, it will be a big loss.

LSU has struggled against the run on a couple of occasions this season, which leads one to believe that Auburn should be able to move the football on the ground. Through four games, Cameron Artis-Payne, Nick Marshall, Corey Grant and a re-tooled offensive line have provided a solid rushing attack, it just hasn’t been as explosive as the 2013 group was – especially towards the end of last season. A big day running the football Saturday would be great for Auburn to gain some momentum through this brutal stretch of conference games.

DVV: Auburn is favored in this one. What’s your prediction?

FWE: Auburn holds a big edge in experience, and perhaps a small one in overall talent, and should win the game. However, when considering the injuries Auburn is dealing with, and the fact that LSU is still LSU, this should be a close one. Right now, I think the outcome will be decided by a field goal. If Auburn can get healthy, they might be able to push it to a touchdown.

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