The fight of the Tigers go back to CBS this weekend break when LSU satisfies Auburn in the network’s game of the week. The matchup has actually had a few of the appeal knocked off of it by the very early period results for both squads, yet the game referred to as the “Tiger Bowl” has been snugly opposed in each of the last 4 years as well as is likely to be so once again on Saturday.
For LSU, the most significant storyline of the season thus far has actually been a battling defense. The Tigers shed plenty of starters on both sides of the ball to graduation, yet the protection appears to have been impacted more by its losses. They’re giving up 30 points per game on the year, a number that would be even higher if you eliminate their 40-7 win over a diminished Vanderbilt group.
When dissecting the factors for the team’s struggles, CBS Sports Network analyst Aaron Murray indicates the people in advance as well as a lack of stress.
” I just don’t see a pass rush from the defensive line. I believe that’s the greatest concern,” said Murray in a meeting with CBS Local’s Ryan Mayer. “You look at that team and at times they are able to stop the run, but they simply don’t have that leading pass rush … It’s tough, you can be the very best cornerbacks in the world and have the best protection however if he has 3, four or five secs, it’s simply difficult to hang with receivers that long.”
Like all groups, @AuburnFootball has had to adapt to an unmatched period.
Gus Malzahn and K.J. Britt discuss being “COVID liable” with @aaronmurray11. pic.twitter.com/b9sWVp1o8G
— SEConCBS (@SEConCBS) October 30, 2020
That can present a problem, Murray explains, against an Auburn team that has a strong group of pass receivers led by junior Seth Williams who is averaging 18.3 backyards per catch this season. Auburn’s offense has battled in its very own right, ranking 71st in the nation in scoring (24.4 PPG) led by quarterback Bo Nix that has actually had issues with precision (58.7%) and turnovers (4 interceptions).
While Murray applauds Nix’s athleticism as well as his arm toughness that enables him to make some plays various other quarterbacks can’t he says that the sophomore still requires to learn when to give up on a play and also live to the next down.
” I assume the trick for Bo is simply play within himself. Bo gets in difficulty when he attempts to produce when absolutely nothing’s there,” claimed Murray. “He has to learn that sometimes the protection is mosting likely to win. And there’s nothing wrong at times taking a sack there’s absolutely nothing incorrect with throwing the ball away.”
Nix’s match versus LSU was a struggle last period, completing simply 15 of 35 passes for 157 yards and also a goal while including an additional on the ground. Many thanks to the Auburn protection, they were able to hang in that game falling just brief 23-20. It will be interesting to view just how he manages the video game this time around versus an LSU defense that has much less bite than in 2014’s team.
Finley” > pic-61214-text-LSU QB TJ Finley LSU has some concerns of its own at quarterback as starter Myles Brennan is not expected to play in this video game, still handling a lower-body injury. That suggests TJ Finley, who actioned in last week with a hyper reliable 17/21 265 backyards and also a goal with another on the ground performance recently versus South Carolina, will obtain the begin again. A 4-star prospect out of secondary school, the fresher pleased head train Ed Orgeron with his efficiency last week.
” The point I was most amazed with was his grace,” Orgeron claimed of Finley.” He was so certain.”
Murray is interested to see Finley play once more today keeping in mind that LSU did a great job with its play calling recently and the offending line controlled the Gamecocks to the song of 276 hurrying lawns. With Auburn enabling over 180 yards per game on the ground this period, Murray points to that match as one to view Saturday.
” If I’m Auburn, you need to discover a method to stop the run as well as placed the ball in TJ Finley’s hand and also put them in long and also third circumstances,” claimed Murray. That’s something that he didn’t have to deal with much last week.”
LSU goes into the matchup as 2.5 point faves. The game is set for a 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time kick-off on CBS.
When LSU fulfills Auburn in the network’s game of the week,