LSU Tigers: Five must-see games for Tigers in 2015

Apr 18, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jeremy Johnson (6) looks to pass during the first half of the spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

4. LSU vs. Auburn – Sept. 19

Much like LSU, the Auburn Tigers are looking to bounce back after a 34-31 loss to Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl last season finishing 8-5. They’ll get Alabama as well as Georgia at home but to make it to the pinnacle they’ll have to get through a LSU team looking for redemption for the 2014 season.

The media picked Auburn to win the SEC this year and even though that made headlines the media seemingly forgot that the they have only gotten it right a handful of times over the course of the 20-plus years of voting. Be that as it may, the Auburn Tigers will be better than their 4-4 finish in 2014 with the addition of Will Muschamp as the defensive coordinator and with pass-first Jeremy Johnson at quarterback.

Offensively, Auburn only returns four starters but will add a few JUCO players to help make up for the lack of experience. The No. 1 JUCO running back in the country Jovon Robinson looks to compete immediately with returning running backs Peyton Barber and Roc Thomas.

Both Barber and Thomas are much more versed in the playbook than Robinson but that didn’t slow Robinson from making his debut in spring practices known. On the offensive line Auburn will add Ole Miss transfer Austin Golson who will be paired with returning starter Alex Kozan. Throw in the returning wide-outs Duke Williams, Ricardo Louis and Marcus Davis to the mix as well for a little added explosiveness in the passing game.

Defensively, four of the top five leading tacklers return including defensive tackle Montravius Adams who will look to capitalize on a successful 2014 season where he racked up 43 tackles, three sacks and 17 quarterback hurries.

This defense will be much improved compared to earlier seasons under Malzahn with eight returning starters from the 2014 season, and former Freshman All-American Carl Lawson returning after missing last year with a torn ACL and signing No. 3 overall recruit Byron Cowart.

LSU will rely on history when they meet up with Auburn in September as the visiting team has lost 13 out of the last 15 games played between these two with LSU in charge of a 7-0 run at home. The last time Auburn traveled to Baton Rouge they trailed then-No. 14 LSU Tigers by 21 at the half with a final score of 35-21 while Jeremy Hill ripped Auburn a new one after racking up 184 yards and three touchdowns. That was one-of-two losses Auburn suffered in 2013 and the only regular season loss until playing FSU in the BCS National Championship game.

To get a win here early for LSU will be huge, not only for their confidence, but for the national perception of LSU before hitting the bye week before playing a helluva November schedule. A run of wins prior to the Halloween break will put LSU possibly in the top 10 rankings and put them on the national stage to face off against Alabama in Tuscaloosa.

Next: Ole Miss