Auburn @ Louisiana State preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 23, 2010 ) Louisiana State 17, Auburn 24

THE STORY: Historically speaking, the SEC West title picture gets a lot clearer after LSU and Auburn hook up. The winner of the matchup has gone on to win the division title in seven of the past 11 seasons. But No. 2 LSU hopes to continue on a path toward a new trend by knocking off the defending national champion and staying atop the BCS standings. LSU looks to go 8-0 for the fourth time in history and the first time since 1973 when the Tigers host No. 23 Auburn on Saturday. Reports Wednesday indicated LSU will be without star cornerback Tyrann Mathieu and leading rusher Spencer Ware, as well as defensive back Tharold Simon. The three players reportedly were suspended for one game. LSU leads the all-time series 24-20-1 and has won three of the past four contests overall and five straight at home. The home team has won 10 of the past 11 meetings, the exception being LSU's road win in 2008. Six of the past seven have been decided by a touchdown or less.

TV: CBS. LINE: LSU -21

ABOUT AUBURN (5-2, 3-1 SEC): The Tigers have won 12 of their past 13 games against SEC opponents, the only blemish a 38-14 loss at Arkansas on Oct. 8. They bounced back for a 17-6 home win over Florida last week, as the defense continued its turnaround after a rough start to the season. Auburn allowed an average of 36 points and 534.3 yards in its first three games but those numbers have improved to 17.8 points and 307 yards over the past four games. The offense has been less impressive, especially in the passing game. Freshman QB Clint Moseley will make his first career start for Auburn.

ABOUT LSU (7-0, 4-0 SEC): The Tigers have won 14 straight at home dating to a 2009 loss to Florida, and they've ridden a dominant defense to the top of the BCS standings. LSU ranks in the top 10 in the nation in scoring defense (seventh at 11.7), rush defense (sixth at 75.1), pass efficiency defense (6th) and total defense (fourth at 251.9). The defense has been especially tough in SEC play, allowing 31 total points. That's the fewest the Tigers have allowed through their first four league games since allowing 27 points over that stretch in 1985. Senior QB Jarrett Lee kept the offense rolling in last week's 38-7 win at Tennessee, tossing three touchdown passes as the Tigers posted their largest margin of victory against the Vols.

EXTRA POINTS

1. LSU has won its first seven games by double digits for the first time in history.

2. Auburn is 9-0 in games decided by four points or less under coach Gene Chizik, including a 5-0 mark against SEC teams in such games.

3. LSU has not committed a turnover in its past four games, a span of 277 offensive snaps, 48 possessions and 144 minutes, 17 seconds of possession time. The Tigers have won 16 straight games when winning the turnover battle.

PREDICTION: LSU 23, Auburn 16 — The suspensions will make a big enough difference to keep it close, but not enough to put Auburn over the top.