Five observations from LSU offense's dominant performance at Auburn

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Five observations from LSU offense's dominant performance at Auburn

Five observations from LSU offense's dominant performance at Auburn

Will Rosenblatt, LSU Wire · LSU Tigers Wire

Mon, Oct 26, 2026 ·

4 min read

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LSU football downed Auburn 38-17 in Week 8. LSU secured its first SEC road win for the first time in over two years, and Lane Kiffin and Co. have won two straight after falling at Kentucky in early October.

LSU heads into the bye week with a 6-2 record. Every goal LSU began the season with remains on the table. The schedule is hard, but if LSU can run the table, the Tigers will be in the College Football Playoff.

LSU is firing on all cylinders. The offense has scored 69 points in its last two games and quarterback Sam Leavitt is playing the best football of his career. Leavitt threw for 387 yards and threw four touchdowns on the plains, and for the second straight game, he didn't turn the ball over.

Star tight end Trey'Dez Green returned to the fold, catching five passes for 50 yards and a touchdown. Wideout Jackson Harris continued to emerge with nine catches for 178 yards and two touchdowns.

Here are five observations from LSU's offensive performance in Week 8.

LSU WR Jackson Harris is an All-SEC caliber player

When Jackson Harris transferred to LSU, the Tigers knew they were getting a competent veteran pass catcher. Harris caught 49 passes for 963 yards with Hawai'i in 2025, averaging 19.7 yards per catch and hauling in 12 touchdowns. But as Harris has settled into LSU's offense, he's exceeded expectations.

Harris is the total package at wideout. He's winning jump balls on the outside, making back-shoulder catches, working the middle of the field, and racking up yards after the catch.

Harris' best moment of the game was a 70-yard catch-and-run. Harris created separation on a dig route, Leavitt got him the ball, and he was off to the races. Harris beat two Auburn defenders to the end zone, but it wasn't a problem.

LSU RB Dilin Jones is improving as a pass catcher

LSU RB Dilin Jones established himself as a physical downhill runner in LSU's Week 1 win over Clemson. Since then, Jones has continued to produce, giving LSU a steady hand in the backfield.

But over the last few weeks, Jones has also given LSU something in the receiving game. Jones has caught 30 passes for 217 yards, leading all SEC running backs. When Sam Leavitt has nowhere else to go with the football, Jones is a reliable option. In space, Jones is proving he can make defenders miss and get LSU a few extra yards.

Jones' pass-catching has added a new dimension to this LSU offense.

LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin as Auburn Tigers take on LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. LSU Tigers defeated Auburn Tigers 38-17.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

LSU Tigers wide receiver Jackson Harris (4) catches a pass as Auburn Tigers take on LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. LSU Tigers defeated Auburn Tigers 38-17.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) is sacked by LSU Tigers defensive end Dylan Carpenter (97) as Auburn Tigers take on LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. LSU Tigers defeated Auburn Tigers 38-17.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

LSU Tigers wide receiver Jackson Harris (4) fails to control a pass before going out of bounds as Auburn Tigers take on LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. LSU Tigers defeated Auburn Tigers 38-17.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

LSU Tigers running back Dilin Jones (13) celebrates his touchdown as Auburn Tigers take on LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. LSU Tigers defeated Auburn Tigers 38-17.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

LSU Tigers tight end Zach Grace (44) turns up the field after a catch as Auburn Tigers take on LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. LSU Tigers defeated Auburn Tigers 38-17.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) dives forward on a fourth and one play as Auburn Tigers take on LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. LSU Tigers defeated Auburn Tigers 38-17.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

LSU Tigers wide receiver Jackson Harris (4) breaks free after a catch for a touchdown as Auburn Tigers take on LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. LSU Tigers defeated Auburn Tigers 38-17.
(Jake Crandall/ Advertiser, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) runs the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) runs the ball under pressure during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) hands off the ball to running back Dilin Jones (13) during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin looks on during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) throws a pass during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers tight end Trey'dez Green (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin speaks with a member of the officiating crew during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers safety Ty Benefield (2) tackles Auburn Tigers wide receiver Keshaun Singleton (11) during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) runs the ball during the second quarter against the LSU Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Jackson Harris (4) runs the ball during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers running back Dilin Jones (13) runs the ball as Auburn Tigers defensive lineman Darrion Smith (11) defends during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers running back Dilin Jones (13) runs the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers running back Dilin Jones (13) stiff arms Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (5) during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) scores a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) reacts after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers edge Da'shawn Womack (15) attempts to tackle LSU Tigers quarterback Sam Leavitt (10) during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers running back Dilin Jones (13) runs the ball during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers wide receiver Jackson Harris (4) runs the ball during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers quarterback Landen Clark (11) runs the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the second half at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; LSU Tigers running back Dilin Jones (13) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; An LSU Tigers fan cheers during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

Oct 24, 2026; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Members of the LSU Tigers line up after a game against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images
(John Reed, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)

LSU LT Jordan Seaton played well

LSU made a big investment in its offensive line when it paid to secure the talents of left tackle Jordan Seaton. Seaton played one of his best games as a Tiger at Auburn. He was staunch protecting the passer and he helped clear paths in the run game.

For LSU to go where it wants to go, it needs Seaton to play at an elite level. For the most part, the returns have been good in 2026, but perhaps the Auburn game is a sign Seaton is going to take it to another level over the back half of the regular season.

Trey'Dez Green looked good

When Trey'Dez Green first got hurt at Ole Miss, several reports indicated the LSU tight end wouldn't return until November. Green returned earlier than expected and looked like his usual self.

Green boosts LSU's red zone offense, and he picked up right where he left off, scoring a red zone touchdown at Auburn.

Green opens doors for this LSU offense. At 6-foot-7, he's a matchup nightmare. Few SEC defenders can play Green man-to-man. Green can run, too. LSU can use Green to catch and run in the flat, or stretch the field with a deep crosser. Green didn't play as many snaps as he will moving forward, but when he was out there, he didn't seem limited. He moved well and executed his routes.

Sam Leavitt was operating fast

LSU's offense played a clean game, and for the most part, LSU QB Sam Leavitt got the ball out fast, getting it where it needed to go. Auburn cornerbacks were giving LSU space to catch hitches underneath. LSU took what the defense was giving it and didn't overthink it. When the grass was there, Leavitt spit the ball out quick.

Processing speed was an issue for Leavitt early in the year; he appears to have a firm grasp on the offense now. Leavitt was in sync with all of his pass catchers, and this offense is miles ahead of where it was in November.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Five observations from LSU offense's dominant performance at Auburn

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