A pivotal, monumental match-up in Tiger Stadium this weekend

I recognize that Auburn is an unranked, two loss team. I realize the game this weekend won't generate one tenth of the media coverage that the Florida game occassioned. Nonetheless, this contest is absolutely critical.

If we beat Auburn in Tiger Stadium, we can march into Tuscaloosa on November 7 and steal the SEC West and the Tide's precious (presumptive) national championship bid. Irrespective of our historical struggles, our sputtering offense, our goal line stand against MSU, the late TD against Georgia, the stagnant Florida game, the lamenting of the fanbase, and a thousand negative posts predicting doom and apocalypse, we will have a chance to wrest the SEC West from Saban's grubby little paws and assert control over our own destiny with one win. We can play for the SEC West in November. That is all a fan can ask for. I concede that Bama has looked more impressive than LSU thus far this season. I realize that LSU will have to play its best game to defeat the Tide. But we are talented. And anything can happen in a single game. Especially if the Tigers are confident and motivated.

However, the anticipated showdown with Alabama will only occur if we beat Auburn this weekend at home. Beating Auburn is the gateway to the November we all desire. Beating Auburn will imbue our offense with some much needed confidence. Beating Auburn will satiate the home crowd and instill faith in the ambivalent quarters of the fanbase. Finally, beating Auburn is intrinsically satisfying, like killing a rat or crushing a roach under heel. You feel you have rid the universe of something unsanitary.

Auburn isn't a bad team by any stretch of the imagination, but they aren't a great team either. Auburn's offense is legitimate (KY notwithstanding). Our defense will have to contend with a balanced, potent Auburn squad that utilizes a plethora of formations in order to confuse and create mismatches in space. However, Auburn's defense is vulnerable. They don't defend the run particularly well and they are prone to lapses in the secondary.

I call upon the armies of the south endzone, the student section, the bowl, and the soaring upper decks. Tiger Stadium shall spark and crackle again. We must support our purple and gold clad warriors even if the offense struggles in the opening stanzas of the game. We must disrupt the Auburn offense. We must will LSU to victory with noise and unwavering hope.

This is the weekend we build the foundation for the mighty spires to come. Imagine it. A win this weekend and we are sixty minutes away from breaking Alabama's heart. A win over Auburn can be the start of the the most unlikely November SEC Championship run in recent memory. A forgotten, maligned LSU squad reigning triumphant over the smug media, the skeptics, and the pullulating redneck hordes.

6:30 PM. Saturday, October 24. Don your armor. Draw the swords of your voices. Give no quarter. GET LOUD.