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The Auburn Tigers cemented itself as the favorite in the SEC West on Saturday night with a 34-point thumping of LSU.
Let’s grade their performance in each phase of the game:
Offense: A+
Auburn ran 74 plays, gained 25 first downs and converted 50 percent of third downs. In addition to the 41 points Nick Marshall and company put on the scoreboard, the Tigers amassed 566 yards of total offense, including 298 on the ground. Nick Marshall and Cameron Artis-Payne both eclipsed 100 yards rushing, and Sammie Coates reminded us that he was third in the country in yards per reception last year. Coates caught four passes for 144 yards and a score. It was the most sound and complete performance for the Tigers’ high-powered offense which looked unstoppable.
Defense: A
On the flip side, Auburn allowed just 280 total yards of offense to the Bayou Bengals and were relentless in attacking LSU’s youthful offense all night. Auburn’s run defense continues to be stout, surrendering just 138 yards rushing and 3.8 yards per carry. Linebackers Kris Frost and Cassanova McKinzy played well again, and Auburn got a solid pass rush all night long from its front four led by Gabe Wright and Montravius Adams. Freshman safety Nick Ruffin was disqualified for a targeting call early in the game, but it was a very good outing otherwise for the Auburn defense.
Special Teams: A
Daniel Carlson made his only field goal attempt of the night and was successful on all of his PAT tries. Return specialist Quan Bray didn’t get much of chance to return an LSU punt all night and was held at bay for the most part. But special teams, however, continue to be a strength for Auburn.
After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.
