LSU football made a statement on Saturday, going on the road and beating Auburn 38-17. This was LSU's first SEC road win in over two years. LSU's offense was unfazed by the Auburn crowd, putting to rest questions about LSU's ability to win on the road.
LSU jumped out to an early lead with an explosive first half. LSU racked up 346 yards over the first two quarters, taking a 31-10 lead into the locker room. Jackson Harris caught seven passes for 139 yards and two scores in the first half alone.
In the second half, the LSU offense nursed the lead as the defense continued to shut down Byrum Brown and the Auburn offense.
With the win, LSU moves to 6-2 ahead of its bye week. With back-to-back wins and the chaos around the sport, LSU is back in the College Football Playoff race. Here are five takeaways from LSU's dominant win over Auburn.
LSU's offense was brutally efficient in the first half
LSU wasted no time as Lane Kiffin's offense was rolling from the jump. LSU QB Sam Leavitt played clean football, getting the ball where it needed to. Leavitt finished with 387 passing yards, a career high. It was the second straight game without an interception for Leavitt, a positive sign for an LSU offense that struggled to protect the football early in the year.
Leavitt was in sync with wideout Jackson Harris all day. Tight end Trey'Dez Green made an impact in his return, catching five passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. Nine different Tigers caught a pass for LSU.
LSU's run game struggled a bit, but Kiffin's unit still finished with 159 yards on the ground. Dilin Jones totaled 92 yards and a score, and added 27 more yards as a receiver.
The LSU defense created havoc, limiting Auburn QB Byrum Brown
LSU's front seven got after. Blake Baker's defense sacked Auburn six times and logged 12 tackles for loss. LSU DE Jordan Ross followed up his outstanding performance last week with two more sacks on Saturday. DE Princewill Umanmielen hit home for a sack, too.
LSU knew the objective was to limit Auburn QB Byrum Brown on the ground. Brown broke free for a 34-yard TD run, but otherwise got nothing, averaging just 2.1 yards per carry on his other touches.
Through the air, Brown only averaged 6.6 yards per attempt. LSU cornerback DJ Pickett played well, and fellow CB PJ Woodland led LSU's defense with nine tackles. This LSU defense is one of college football's best and the Tigers proved it again on Saturday.
Jackson Harris continues to emerge
Jackson Harris is one of the SEC's best wide receivers. Over the last month, Harris' role in the offense has continued to increase, and now he's a clear WR1. Harris is playing complete football. He's winning on the outside, winning over the middle, making contested catches, and getting yards after the catch. He's sure-handed and one of Leavitt's most trusted targets.
When Trey'Dez Green went down at Ole Miss, LSU needed a go-to pass catcher to emerge. Harris stepped up, and now with Green back, LSU's group of pass catchers is among the best in CFB. This offense is dangerous.
As defenses devote more attention to Harris, look for opportunities to open up elsewhere on the LSU offense. Having an alpha WR1 on the outside changes how defenses have to approach LSU.
LSU gets a win on the road
There were questions about LSU's ability to win road games. LSU hadn't won a road game since October of 2024 before today. Kiffin also had some road struggles at Ole Miss, and was 0-2 in his first two road games at LSU.
LSU wasn't rattled on Saturday. LSU got off to a hot start, knocked the air out of the stadium, and controlled the entire game. This should give LSU confidence when it hits the road again.
LSU's next two contests are at home, but LSU finishes the regular season with back-to-back road games (At Tennessee, at Arkansas).
LSU is a playoff contender
LSU handled business on Saturday. The Tigers were the better team, had more talent, and played like it. Teams that eye the College Football Playoff are supposed to dominate in the way LSU did.
Now at 6-2, LSU goes into the bye week with a chance to make noise in November. Yes, LSU already has two losses, but the equation is simple. If LSU goes 10-2, they get an invite to the dance.
LSU's schedule isn't easy. After the open date, LSU will host Alabama before welcoming Texas to Baton Rouge. Then, LSU hits the road to face Tennessee's staunch defense. Running the table vs. that slate isn't easy, but LSU is good enough to do it. LSU can beat anyone in college football on a good day, and if the Tigers can string together consistent performances, this team is in the mix.
This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Five takeaways from LSU football's emphatic win over Auburn