Stakes rise in LSU-Auburn rivalry

[DKW 86 7,425]

http://www.2theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/3885277.html

Stakes rise in LSU-Auburn rivalry

By CARL DUBOIS

Advocate sportswriter

Published: Sep 11, 2006

By CARL DUBOIS

The Associated Press Top 25 college football poll lists Auburn at No. 3 in the country, LSU at No. 6. That means the two sets of Tigers will meet with higher combined rankings Saturday than in any previous game in the history of the emerging rivalry.

The only top-10 (AP) matchup between LSU and Auburn was in 1972. Eighth-ranked LSU defeated ninth-ranked Auburn 35-7.

LSU’s highest ranking for a game against Auburn was in 2004. Fourteenth-ranked Auburn, on its way to an undefeated season, defeated fifth-ranked LSU 10-9.

That was the most recent matchup between the teams in Auburn, Ala., where they will meet again at 2:30 p.m. Saturday (CBS).

Auburn’s highest ranking for a game against LSU was in 1988. Unranked LSU defeated fourth-ranked Auburn 7-6 in what has become known as the Earthquake Game.

LSU’s No. 6 ranking is two spots higher than in last week’s AP poll. Auburn’s No. 3 ranking represents a climb of one spot.

Auburn remained No. 4 in the USA Today Top 25 coaches poll. LSU climbed one spot to No. 7.

Miles embraces rivalry

The game Saturday has all the trappings of a big-time event and should remind fans of the atmosphere surrounding LSU’s 13-10 overtime victory at Alabama last season. In what was the first top-five matchup in Bryant-Denny Stadium history, fifth-ranked LSU won a thriller against third-ranked Alabama.

LSU coach Les Miles seems to embrace rivalry games, including his days at Oklahoma State in matchups against Oklahoma. High stakes add to the appeal, he said.

“You look forward to playing an opponent in a game that really counts,” Miles said. “This one really counts.”

The winner of the LSU-Auburn game has played in the Southeastern Conference Championship Game four of the last five seasons.

“As much as it’s just one in the standings,” Miles said, “it’s a very big one.”

He said a marquee matchup such as this one tends to give game week a different feel.

“You want to play your best against your best opponents,” Miles said.

LSU leads the series with Auburn 21-18-1. The home team has won the last six.

LSU healthy heading into week

Miles said he expects senior tight end Keith Zinger back at practice today. Zinger was not in uniform Saturday because of an undisclosed stomach condition, Miles said.

“He’s had a good weekend, I’m told,” Miles said.

Starting offensive tackle Peter Dyakowski, who was wearing a cast Sunday, should be back after suffering a broken finger, Miles said.

Miles said LSU is mostly healthy for the Auburn game.

“I don’t think there is anything that’s going to stop our guys from playing,” Miles said. “It was a pretty physical game. We played hard. I think there will be some guys limited in practice on Monday but few, if any, on Tuesday and Wednesday.”

Russell playing at full speed

Miles said he enjoyed seeing quarterback JaMarcus Russell rush four times for 23 yards.

“He appears to have better foot speed and looks in better shape than he’s been,” Miles said. “He appears to me that he has more ability there.”

Russell seemed energized to be free of the injuries that hampered him in the second half of last season.

“It feels great to be healthy,” Russell said. “You can just go out and do a lot and not worry about trying to baby-fy [sic] nicks and nacks [sic].

“You can just go out there and turn your hat back and play.”

[TigerOne 1,146]

didn't realize this

"LSU leads the series with Auburn 21-18-1. The home team has won the last six."

[DKW 86 7,425]

http://football.stassen.com/cgi-bin/record...Louisiana+State

13-4 at Home though.

Need to fix this ASAP!