No. 13/14-ranked LSU and No. 15/18-ranked Auburn both eked out wins last week, leaving portions of both fan bases in different states of tumult as the two old rivals prepare to collide Saturday at Tiger Stadium.
The purple-and-gold Tigers never trailed in their season and SEC opener at Mississippi State, but had to withstand a last-ditch potential game-winning field-goal attempt before exhaling after a 21-19 triumph.
Auburn was on the cusp of one of the biggest upsets in college football history, at least according to pre-game betting lines, before a late touchdown and then a defensive stop in overtime allowed AU to escape with a 27-20 win against FCS in-state neighbor Jacksonville State.