SEC West Auburn vs. LSU

Everyone can pretty much agree that the West will come down to LSU and Auburn at this point. Auburn's schedule is very do-able with games against LSU, Tennessee, Arkansas and Georgia all at home. But, LSU is the defending champ with more than enough talent in the 2-deep on both lines. The problem with LSU is that they lost both of their mediocre quarterbacks from last fall, their top rusher in Jacob Hester and their top receiver when he was healthy in Early Doucet, not to mention top 5 draft pickGlenn Dorsey and 2 of their defensive backs. This team is loaded, but it's a team that only got where it was last year because of the disaster that took place in college football. From week to week we didn't know which #2 ranked team would fall or which ranked opponent would lose to an unranked. You had about 50 ranked teams falling to unranked, a 2-loss national championship team and a goofy sophomore as the heisman trophy winner. I'm just glad 2007 is over.

Auburn is dealing with change at quarterback and more importantly, their entire offensive system. But, the spread offense might just be the key to put this team over the edge and into a national championship contention. Last year with the most unexperienced offensive line ever to play under Tuberville here, the team stepped out and fell flat on it's face in consecutive home games against USF and Mississippi State. This year the line returns 4 starters. Which will be good for the quarterback, whoever he is. Kodi Burns and Chris Todd competing for the job. Burns ran Franklin's offense well in the bowl game against Clemson. And Todd has experience in this offense having played for Tony Franklin in high school. The running backs are more experienced this year and perhaps Brad Lester will decide to stay academically eligible for the entire season this year.

In sum, why I like Auburn over LSU:
* Auburn's new offense--they're addressing their biggest weakness from last year--passing game. They finished 103rd in passign offense and 97th in total offense.
* Plus, losing Brandon Cox is an opportunity for them-- you can't throw for 100 yards and 4 INTs against Georgia and expect to win.
* Auburn also has an improved offensive line, which was the most unexperienced line Tubberville had ever coached at auburn last year
* LSU's loss of key players and especially the question at quarterback is not something they had anticipated. The losses are Early Doucet, Jacob Hester and three DB's is also significant. They lose the leading rusher--both passers, the two interception leaders--and top 5 draft pick Glenn Dorsey.
* LSU did well in a strange year for college football and beat an OSU team that wasn't anywhere near ready to be playing for the title again after losing basically their entire defense after 2006.