LSU-Auburn Tradition by Chris Fowler (ESPN)
I am looking forward to the annual sumo match that is LSU versus Auburn. Just like Georgia-South Carolina, this SEC series has followed a strong pattern of close, tight games decided in the final plays. Last year's astounding clock-and-logic-be-damned touchdown pass by LSU was one of the 2007 season's indelible moments. The past four meetings have been decided by six, four, three and one point.
Going back to 1988, 12 of the past 18 have been within a touchdown.
As any fan of either Tiger knows, the home side has won the past eight. The last LSU coach to get Auburn twice in a row? Gerry DiNardo.
Les Miles and LSU face Auburn on Saturday.
The winner has vaulted to the SEC West title five of the past seven seasons.
I have no trouble enjoying these annual collisions from a vantage point just outside the mosh pit. Each foot of ground is hard-earned. Each first down is cause to strike up the school fight song. Reaching the end zone, well, it causes the stadium to shake and rumble. Literally. I was there for LSU's famous "Earthquake Game," when the Bayou Bengals avoided a shutout and won the '88 edition on one fateful fourth-down throw from Tommy Hodson to Eddie Fuller in the final two minutes to spark an SEC title run. Whiskey bottles were flying everywhere. Remember it like it was yesterday.
Then there was Auburn's 7-3 shootout win two years ago, aided by a pair of controversial calls in the secondary. LSU coach Les Miles won't ever forget that one.
Each year, when the wounds from Auburn versus LSU have stopped bleeding, it's time for guys on both sides to spend a few days in the ice bath. Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville has always told me that it takes his guys a few days or even longer to bounce back physically from one of the these street fights. It's about the same on the LSU side. That's the brutal part of the league. Auburn has no time to waste healing with Tennessee coming in next week.
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