Eating with Ed - Week 3, Auburn

While LSU did shut out SELU 31-0 on Saturday, it wasn’t exactly a pretty win in more than just one aspect of the game.

Orgeron stated that his team will “need to improve on our pass protection and overall passing game. We’re going to make adjustments this week to make improvements in those areas.”

He also brought up the point that Joe Burrow had held onto the ball for too long, which will be something else the Tigers look to fix before they face the Auburn defense this weekend.

Those Auburn defenders that Burrow and the offense will be up against aren’t at all unfamiliar to Orgeron, either.

“I know all of these guys,” he said. “I tried to recruit them all.”

One of the hottest topics after the SELU game was Burrow’s aversion to sliding and how such an issue may come into play as he faces SEC defenders. In the postgame this weekend, Burrow told the media that he was “not a slider” and would “never slide.”

Orgeron said we can expect to see Burrow making more plays with his feet, so it looks like the Tigers will be taking advantage of their quarterback’s confidence on the run. But as for all of the risk-taking, the coaching staff will look to minimize that.

“Joe has the mentality of a fullback... me and Coach Ensminger are going to have a conversation with him.”

As for his primary source of protection - the offensive line - changes to that unit are taking shape as well. Sophomore Austin Deculus will be moved to right tackle and will compete with Badara Traore for a chance to become a starter at the position.

The wide receiver position appears to be relatively open, with Orgeron noting that while several members of the unit had come up with some big plays, “no one has really taken that position by the horns” yet.

Orgeron also told the media offensive guard Saahdiq Charles, linebacker Michael Divinity, defensive tackle Ed Alexander, fullback Tory Carter cornerback Jontre Kirklin and fullback Tory Carter will be ready to take on Auburn this week.

While he never mentioned the reasoning behind their absence versus SELU, a number of sources confirmed that each player had faced a one-game suspension.

Orgeron and the Tigers know the Auburn game will be unlike any game they’ve taken on this season.

“It’s big rivalry for the LSU Tigers. It’s SEC play. It’s physical football. It’s going to take our best to beat them.”

And of course the noise level in Jordan-Hare is going to be different than what’s been dealt with this year.

Orgeron said during the presser that the team will have crowd noise pumped into practice this week as they prepare. He also mentioned he’s not concerned with Burrow’s ability to handle it, given the competition his team faced when he was at Ohio State.

LSU will face Auburn on the road this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT.

LSU Game Notes [PDF]

Sept. 9 Football National Rankings - LSUsports.net

Sept. 22 SEC Football Times, TV Announced - LSUsports.net
6 p.m. CT - Louisiana Tech at LSU / ESPN2 or ESPNU