GAME NOTES: A cat fight is on the docket in Baton Rouge this weekend, as ninth-ranked LSU is set to battle Auburn in SEC action. LSU owns a 23-19-1 advantage in the all-time series with Auburn, including victories in the last two meetings between the teams.

Auburn opened the season with five consecutive victories and appeared capable of contending for the SEC title. Those hopes have faded quickly with back-to- back losses. After getting crushed by Arkansas two weeks ago by a 44-23 final, the Tigers lost at home to Kentucky by a 21-14 final last weekend. First-year coach Gene Chizik knows that a falling to 2-3 in SEC play would be a difficult hole to emerge from, so a victory this weekend is imperative.

Beating LSU under the lights isn't an easy task, however, as then-top-ranked Florida became the first opponent to win a Saturday night contest at Tiger Stadium in 33 games with a 13-3 triumph two weeks ago. LSU has been idle since that setback, so expect a well-rested and highly motivated group of Tigers this weekend. They are 5-1 overall, including 3-1 in conference, and there is still plenty for coach Les Miles' team to play for.

Auburn scored only one offensive touchdown against Kentucky last weekend, hard to believe considering the fact that the Wildcats are not a notably tough defensive team. The Tigers were able to run the ball effectively as usual, posting 220 yards and a score on 49 carries, an average of 4.5 yards per attempt. Ben Tate, who scored the team's lone touchdown, chewed up 132 yards on 31 carries. Unfortunately, Chris Todd struggled under center, completing just 10-of-24 passes for 80 yards and no touchdowns with one interception.

"It is going to be hard to win games when we score that little points," said Chizik after the loss. "We weren't able to get it going tonight with any consistency, I think it was very evident."

Last weekend, Auburn put forth a strong effort against the Kentucky aerial attack, holding the Wildcats to 9-of-22 passing for 75 yards. Unfortunately, the Tigers looked helpless against the run at times. They permitted 282 yards on 49 carries along with three touchdowns, the difference in the game. Auburn failed to post a single takeaway and managed just a single sack.

"Most of the night, I thought we played really well on defense, but they hit us with a couple of big ones and it really ended up being the difference," said Chizik.

It is surprising that the offense sputtered against Kentucky. Still, Auburn is averaging 34.9 ppg and 464.9 total ypg. The Tigers have scored 27 offensive touchdowns, 14 of which have come from a ground attack that accounts for 247.3 ypg. Tate has rushed for 856 yards and five touchdowns, while Onterio McCalebb adds 461 yards to the mix. As for Todd, he has connected on 55.8 percent of his passes for 1,443 yards with 12 touchdowns against only two interceptions, as he has played quite well overall. Darvin Adams leads the way with 28 catches for 444 yards and five scores.

Opponents are managing 26.3 ppg and 367.6 total ypg against Auburn, which has allowed 14 rushing touchdowns. The Tigers are permitting 4.5 yards per rushing attempt and need to improve in that area of the game.

Judging by the three points scored against Florida last time out, it is fair to say that LSU struggled mightily on offense in the tilt. The team posted a mere 162 total yards, including 66 rushing yards on 30 carries. With a 1-of-9 effort on third down conversion attempts, it comes as no surprise that LSU kept possession of the ball for only 23:30.

"That's the No. 1 team in the country right there, but when it's your time to make a play you?ve got to make a play," said LSU tailback Charles Scott after the loss. "That was our fault."

Defensively, LSU deserves credit for limiting the mighty Gators to 13 points. Tim Tebow and company held the ball for well over 36 minutes, so the fact that they only got in the end zone once is surely notable. The Tigers yielded 327 total yards but seemed to stiffen when it mattered most.

"Basically, we got outplayed by their defense," said linebacker Jacob Cutrera, unsatisfied with the performance of his team's seemingly solid defensive effort. "Every week, Coach (John) Chavis tells us to outplay the other team's defense. We should have gotten off the field more than we did. The penalties hurt. We need to fix that."

LSU hasn't been explosive offensively this season, as the team is averaging a modest 23.0 ppg to go along with 295.0 total ypg. Quarterback Jordan Jefferson has completed 62.8 percent of his passes for 1,016 yards and seven touchdowns with three interceptions, but while the young signal caller hasn't made many mistakes, he also doesn't throw the ball deep down field very often. Brandon LaFell is a big-time wideout, who has scored five touchdowns on 27 catches, but he needs to be an even bigger part of the offense. As for Scott, he leads the team in rushing with a modest 327 yards.

Opponents are scoring 14.5 ppg against LSU, which is yielding 322.5 total ypg and has been solid against both the run and the ball. Foes are gaining just 3.5 yards per rushing attempt, and opposing quarterbacks have nine interceptions with only six touchdown passes against the Tigers. Surprisingly, however, LSU has just five sacks to its credit and has permitted foes to make good on 42 percent of their third down conversion attempts.

There is no way that LSU will lose a second consecutive night game at home. Expect a tremendous effort on both sides for the ball for the Bayou Bengals in what figures to be a highly physical affair as always.