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After tough defeat, LSU takes on Auburn in SEC West battle

Oct 20, 2007 - 10:38 AM No. 18 Auburn (5-2) at No. 5 LSU (6-1) 9:00 pm EDT

BATON ROUGE, Louisiana (Ticker) -- Louisiana State and coach Les Miles will not have much time to bounce back from a heartbreaking defeat.

One week after losing in triple overtime at Kentucky, Miles' fifth-ranked Tigers try to bounce back when they host Southeastern Conference West Division rival No. 18 Auburn on Saturday night.

On October 6, LSU overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to edge then-No. 9 Florida here, 28-24. The Tigers successfully converted 5-of-5 fourth-down plays, including one to set up Jacob Hester's go-ahead two-yard run with 1:09 to play.

But last week, No. 1 LSU (6-1, 3-1 SEC West) blew a 13-point second-half lead at Kentucky and fell in three overtimes, 43-37.

Miles, who had received praise for his gutsy playcalling against the Gators, faced some criticism for unsuccessfully rushing the ball on four straight plays after the Wildcats had gone ahead in the final extra session.

Auburn (5-2, 3-1 West) edged Arkansas in Fayetteville last weekend, 9-7, on freshman Wes Byrum's 20-yard field goal with 21 seconds left.

Byrum, who scored all of Auburn's points, also kicked a game-winner to beat Florida on September 29.

Auburn, which is tied with LSU and Alabama atop the division, limited Heisman Trophy candidate Darren McFadden to just 43 yards on 17 carries in the triumph.

Last year, No. 3 Auburn edged No. 6 LSU, 7-3, in the matchup of Tigers, even though it was outgained, 311-182.