Key game awaits LSU and Auburn on the Plains

ATLANTA - It could be the game that decides the SEC West championship when No. 5 LSU visits No. 14 Auburn on Saturday only three weeks into the season. After all, they are the two teams expected to battle for supremacy in the West.<br> <br> The only problem with putting the winner on a pedestal is no matter which team wins, there are some imposing opponents left to be played.<br> <br> Both teams will have to play Georgia, the favorite in the East. LSU also has to visit Florida one week after its trip to Georgia. Auburn has Georgia at home, but takes on another perennial East power, Tennessee, on the road. Georgia&#39;s toughest foes in the division will be the Gators and Vols.<br> <br> Auburn has rolled over a pair of foes, Louisiana Monroe 31-0 and Mississippi State 43-14. LSU struggled to a 22-21 overtime victory over Oregon State and hammered outmanned Arkansas State 55-3 last week.<br> <br> ``I was pleased with the way that we created a little identity as a team in terms of the physical nature of the way we played the game, especially offensively,&#39;&#39; LSU coach Nick Saban said of the Arkansas State game. ``Defensively, I didn&#39;t think we played like I&#39;d like for us to play in the game. We weren&#39;t as physical and aggressive against the run as I&#39;d like for us to be.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Saban&#39;s stoppers better get in a groove before Saturday. They will be facing two of the SEC&#39;s top tailbacks Carnell ``Cadillac&#39;&#39; Williams and Ronnie Brown.<br> <br> Auburn&#39;s defense faces a pretty fair tailback, too LSU&#39;s Justin Vincent.<br> <br> Auburn&#39;s starting defense has yet to give up any points, but that will definitely change on Saturday. Auburn is a 1.5-point favorite.<br> <br> ``Against the two teams that we&#39;ve played, we&#39;d like to play a little more dominating,&#39;&#39; Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said. ``We&#39;re playing probably one of the better teams in the country this week. I&#39;m not saying we&#39;ve played bad, we&#39;re just going to have to play better.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Don&#39;t worry, Tommy. Your Tigers will play better than Saban&#39;s Tigers. Auburn 24-17.