No. 13 LSU Tigers to Face Healthier No. 18 Auburn Tigers Squad in Week 3

Written by Ryan Wright

Twitter: @HogManInLA

LSU fans were licking their chops after escaping Mississippi State 21-19 in Week 2 knowing that Auburn struggled to put away FCS program Jacksonville State by a score of 27-20 in overtime. The seemingly easy win for LSU (1-0) became a little more challenging on Tuesday with the announced return of three Auburn (2-0) defensive starters.

Auburn’s defense is still a work in progress under new defensive coordinator Will Muschamp. Muschamp’s unit got pushed around against Jacksonville State bringing back shades of 2014 when Ellis Johnson and Charlie Harbison were co-defensive coordinators leading those Tigers to a national ranking of No. 64 in total defense. Auburn allowed 438 yards of total offense, 277 passing and 161 rushing, to the undermanned Gamecocks in Jordan-Hare.

Muschamp is expecting better results on the road in Baton Rouge with defensive end Carl Lawson and safety Tray Matthews back on the field. Both sophomores were injured against Louisville in Week 1 with Matthews suffering a shoulder injury in the second half and Lawson a hip injury.

The third piece to the puzzle is linebacker Justin Garrett. The senior suffered a quad injury against the Gamecocks limiting his play on the field.

All the news for Auburn is not good news on the injury front with the announcement that senior starting cornerback Justin Garrett is out of the year with an ACL injury, another injury suffered against JSU.

Auburn will need all hands on deck to help stop the powerful rushing attack of LSU. The Tigers posted 337 yards of offense against MSU with 266 coming on the ground including a career-high 159 yards by sophomore Leonard Fournette on 28 carries with three touchdowns scored.

LSU kicks off against Auburn in Tiger Stadium at 3:30 ET on Saturday with CBS providing the coverage.

Photo credit: sportingnews.com; No. 7 Leonard Fournette dives in for a touchdown against MSU.