Game Notes: LSU back in Tiger Stadium to host Auburn on ESPN

Saturday Night in Death Valley is back this week as LSU (4-2, 3-1 SEC) hosts Auburn (3-2, 0-2 SEC) in a crucial SEC Western Division matchup. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and will televised on ESPN with Joe Tessitore (pxp), Jordan Rodgers (analyst) and Katie George (sideline) on the call.

LSU is coming off a 49-39 road win over No. 21 Missouri last week, while Auburn enjoyed an open date. Auburn dropped a 27-20 decision to top-ranked Georgia in its last outing on Sept. 30. LSU enters the contest ranked No. 20 in the Coaches poll and No. 22 in the AP poll. Auburn is unranked. LSU won last year’s meeting, 21-17, at Jordan-Hare Stadium and leads the overall series 32-24-1. The teams aren’t scheduled to play next year, marking the end of a 32-year streak (1992-2023) between LSU and Auburn.

LSU enters the contest with the top offense in the SEC and No. 3 nationally as the Tigers are averaging 558.3 yards per game (210.7 rushing, 337.7 passing). LSU also leads the SEC in scoring (44.8), pass efficiency (185.8 rating), offensive TDs (34), 3rd-down conversions (40-of-71, 56.3 pct) and first downs per game (28.2). LSU is No. 2 in the league in both pass offense (337.7) and rush offense (210.7).

Senior QB Jayden Daniels leads the SEC and ranks No. 2 in the nation in total offense with 398.5 yards per game (328.2 passing, 70.3 rushing). Daniels has accounted for 4 or more TDs in 5 consecutive games, the longest streak in school history. WR Brian Thomas leads the nation in TD receptions with 9. He’s caught 37 passes for 603 yards, while teammate Malik Nabers is No. 2 in the nation in receiving yards (771) and second in the SEC and fifth nationally in receptions (46). RB Logan Diggs had his second straight 100-yard game vs. Missouri with a career-best 134 yards and a TD. Diggs has rushed for 488 yards and 4 TDs and ranks No. 2 in the SEC in yards per game (97.6).

Defensively, the Tigers are allowing 32.3 points and 445.7 total yards a game (163.0 rushing, 282.7 passing). S Major Burns leads LSU in tackles with 42, followed S Andre Sam (41) and LB Greg Penn (40). LB Harold Perkins has 28 tackles and leads the Tigers in both tackles for loss (5.5) and sacks (2). He also has an interception, 4 pass breakups, 3 QB hurries and 2 forced fumbles.