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Auburn Football vs. LSU: 5 Keys to Victory

By Jake Mastroianni

Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn walks on the field prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn walks on the field prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 3, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers linebacker Deshaun Davis (57) and defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (3) react during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers linebacker Deshaun Davis (57) and defensive lineman Marlon Davidson (3) react during the first quarter against the Clemson Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Line Plays Lights Out

We’ve talked a lot this week about how this game will be a defensive battle. Both Auburn and LSU are playing great defense this season.

LSU has always been known for its defense. This season they’ve given up just 16.3 points per game and 325.7 yards per game.

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Auburn has established an identity on defense this year, which has not been the case the past few seasons.

Through three games our defense has given up just 20.7 points per game and 401 totals yards per game. That’s with playing notoriously good offenses in Clemson and Texas A&M.

LSU is not a notoriously good offense, or anything close to it.

New LSU starting quarterback Danny Etling doesn’t bring a duel-threat option to their attack either. That means Auburn’s defensive line will be able to bull rush the quarterback and bring him down.

They got to Deshuan Watson and Trevor Knight plenty, but their elusiveness allowed them to avoid sacks. That shouldn’t be the case this weekend with Etling at quarterback.

On third-and-long situations I expect us to bring a lot of pressure and get at least four sacks on the quarterback.

I also think our defensive line will do a great job of stuffing the run up the middle this year. Montravius Adams, Dontavius Russell and Derrick Brown have done a good job all season of plugging up the middle of the line.

Then the speed of Carl Lawson and Marlon Davidson on the outside should keep the running backs from breaking it outside.

Next: Auburn Football vs. LSU: Matchups and Prediction

I really think this defensive line is much more improved from last season, and matchups up well with LSU. That will be the biggest difference in this game in favor of Auburn.

War Eagle!

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