Strange: Earthquake Game a collision of Tigers

Anybody knows you can't beat Auburn just by getting a safety. That's ridiculous.

But what about two safeties? Would you be a lock to win?

Don't laugh. Les Miles and LSU would take a 4-3 victory and go back to Baton Rouge in a heartbeat.

While Tennessee and Florida slug it out in the SEC East on Saturday, Auburn and LSU will try to win the West on Saturday night in Auburn, with ESPN's College GameDay Show in the house.

The LSU-Auburn winner has gone on to represent the Western Division in six of the past eight SEC Championship games.

The past few years, Tiger-vs.-Tiger has been a compelling, old-school collision, in doubt until the final minutes, if not the final seconds.

"I'd compare it to two trucks running into each other,'' Auburn linebacker Chris Evans told the Birmingham News this week. "Make it two trains.''

Heck, compare it to an earthquake.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of LSU's 7-6 victory in 1988. Auburn was salting away a 6-0 win in Baton Rouge until LSU connected on a game-winning touchdown pass with a minute, 47 seconds to play.

The resulting roar from Tiger Stadium registered on the seismograph at the Howe-Russell Geoscience Complex on campus. Hence, "The Earthquake Game.''

The past four games have been decided by: 10-9 (2004); in overtime (2005); 7-3 (2006); last year LSU kept its national championship campaign afloat with a 30-24 win, but not until flinging a touchdown pass with one second on the clock.

"There's a lot of implications, not just SEC but nationally,'' Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said Wednesday.

"If you like defense, watch this game. If you like athletic ability, watch this game. If you like excitement, watch this game.''

If you like touchdowns, watch someone other than Auburn. Tuberville's Tigers are coming off an unlikely 3-2 win over Mississippi State.

For one thing, that's a testament to the fierce defense typical of the SEC.

"At a time when offense is exploding with so many options and carries,'' said LSU's Miles, "in fact, defense in this league is what wins championships. And that was evident in a 3-2 game.''

Also evident was an Auburn team struggling to gain traction with a new spread offense, a new coordinator and a new quarterback.

"It takes a while to grasp,'' Tuberville said. "You can do all you want in practice, but games are really where you learn what you're doing.''

Signal Stealing: Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said this week he thought MTSU was stealing the Wildcats' offensive signals on Saturday and might have had help from Tennessee, whom he said did so last year.

Brooks said Wednesday that's just part of the game and as long as no one's using video cameras, he's OK with it. As for the UT-MTSU connection, he didn't mention names but alluded to a possible staff connection.

Jimmy Ray Stephens, formerly a UT assistant, is MTSU's offensive line coach.

"As far as I know, we haven't talked to MTSU at all,'' UT head coach Phillip Fulmer said.

Ranking Power: This week marks a ranking precedent. The SEC has five of the Associated Press's top 10 spots: Georgia, Florida, LSU, Alabama and Auburn.

"If we'd done what we should have done at UCLA,'' said Fulmer, "we'd be one of those teams somewhere in the top 15.''

The consensus is that this year isn't any tougher than the usual SEC carnage.

"The shelf life of a coach is pretty minimal at places like these,'' said Florida's Urban Meyer. "In four years, I feel like I'm 88 years old after coaching in this conference.

"But it gets your blood pumping.''

Added Brooks, "You know there won't be five in the top 10 as we move forward because we start playing each other and beating each other up.''

Short Takes: Steve Spurrier said he's still calling "75 percent" of the plays at South Carolina, even though his son has the title of offensive coordinator. ... Georgia's offensive line jobs are very much in flux after the Bulldogs' first taste of SEC play, a 14-7 win over South Carolina. ... Ole Miss began the season with neither of its star defensive linemen. The Rebels got Peria Jerry (knee) back two weeks ago and might have end Greg Hardy (foot) for 3-0 Vanderbilt.

Stat of the Week: That UAB field goal Saturday kept Tennessee from tying the for most shutouts since the SEC went to divisional play in 1992. Auburn and LSU have 14 each, the Vols 13.

Last Word: Spurrier, on the dilemma of walking the line between calling off the dogs in a one-sided game or letting the reserves try to score.

"I wish I could get in that situation here. Very seldom has it come up here.''

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276 or strangem@knoxnews.com.