A week after fans questioned Ed Orgeron’s qualifications as head coach on his call-in show, things are much calmer in Baton Rouge. The Tigers (4-2) earned a huge win over Florida last week in The Swamp, and this week they’ll host No. 10 Auburn (2:30 p.m./CBS).

This Tiger vs. Tiger matchup is an important one for the SEC West race, and, at least last year, a critical one for each program’s head coach. There’s almost no chance there’s a coaching change after this one, but you never know in the SEC.

OK, we do know. Nobody is getting fired in Week 7.

But this game could help determine the pecking order behind Alabama in the West, and it could offer further evidence of whether Auburn (5-1) is a true national title contender. It’s looked like one early – except for that offensive line against Clemson – but this week will provide a much clearer picture of what the Tigers are.

With that in mind, here are four critical matchups that will help determine the result of this game.

Can LSU Throw the Football?

This is a problem for the Tigers every week. Danny Etling is solid but not spectacular, and on days he struggles – like what happened against Troy – the LSU attack moves like it’s pushing through quicksand. It doesn’t matter how good Derrius Guice is, especially an injured Guice, the Tigers aren’t going to be able to move the ball. Teams stack the box and dare LSU to throw. Matt Canada’s movement and weird formations help combat that, but no amount of disguising will cover up the team’s biggest weakness.

That’s a huge problem this week against Auburn. The Tigers from Alabama are as solid a defense as you’ll find. Top 20 in rushing and passing defense – not to mention yards per play, sacks, tackles for loss, defending long scrimmage plays, etc. … – you can’t afford to be one-dimensional against them. LSU, at least this year, is. In order for LSU to win this game, Canada will have to figure out a way to make Etling at least a shadow of a threat.

LSU needs to win games this season in 17-16 fashion like it did last week against Florida.

But eventually, Etling will be forced to make a play. That’s likely going to happen this week. If he can’t, this one will be over quickly.

LSU’s Front 7 vs. Auburn’s O-Line

How do you stop Auburn? Clemson provided a roadmap earlier this year. First, you slow down the Tigers’ rushing attack. Second, you rush the passer aggressively when they’re then forced to throw. You have to do one before the other, and that’s the key for LSU this week. Auburn, despite just 38 rushing yards and a 0.9 average against Clemson, is 22nd nationally rushing for 228 yards per game. Three Auburn running backs (Kerryon Johnson, Kam Martin and Kamryn Pettway) have rushed for 100 yards in a single game this season. And that’s all despite an offensive line that’s allowed 19 sacks – only six FBS teams have surrendered more.

Against good teams, Auburn’s offensive line can be exposed. LSU, with its bevy of large, athletic defensive linemen, should have the ability to hinder Auburn’s rushing attack. But it very much depends on what LSU defense we see. Against Troy, LSU allowed 206 rushing yards and was dominated in time of possession (35 minutes vs. 25). In their other loss, against Mississippi State, the Tigers surrendered 285 yards rushing. But in wins this year, LSU has allowed 83.3 rushing yards per game. Part of that is due to competition levels, but the fact remains LSU’s been considerably more successful when it can stop the run.

Arden Key vs. Prince Tega Wanogho Jr./Austin Golson

The 2015 class promised to produce a bevy of talented pass rushers, and Key and Wanogho Jr. were two of the most gifted. 247Sports ranked Key as the No. 37 overall player in the country and Wanogho the 79th. Three years later, Key is among the best pass rushers in college football. Wanogho has a new task – stopping Key. A backup tackle for Auburn, Wanogho was thrust into duty last week with an injury to starting left guard Mike Horton. When that happened, Austin Golson slipped inside and Wanogho slotted at left tackle. That’s a critical positon, and especially so when facing a pass rusher with Key’s ability. The SEC leader with 11 sacks a year ago, Key gets after quarterbacks. He’s struggled early in the 2017 – he has just 0.5 sacks in four games – but Key is going to break through sooner or later.

If Wanogho is forced into action this week – Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said there’s a “chance” Horton could play – it’ll come in the most difficult of circumstances. How he matches with Key will be critical for the direction of this game.

Auburn’s Kicking Game vs. LSU’s Returners

Here’s a couple of stats to demonstrate how good Auburn’s kicking game has been this year: The Tigers have not allowed a punt return of over 20 yards or a kickoff return of over 30 yards, and Daniel Carlson is a perfect 26-of-26 on extra points and has already hit three field goals of 50-plus yards. Auburn isn’t usually going to get beat on special teams – remember the Kick 6? – but LSU is going to need to make a dent in that area. Clyde Edwards-Helaire has been an admirable kick returner for LSU as a freshman. He’s averaging 20.9 yards a return, but the Tigers are one of just 23 teams nationally without a kickoff return of 30-plus yards. D.J. Chark has excelled as a punt returner with an average of 13.1 yards per attempt and one long touchdown to his credit.

LSU is going to need Edwards-Helaire and Chark to make plays. The Tigers need good field positon in this one, and there aren’t much more difficult kicking specialists to contend with than Auburn’s. Maybe it’s time to put the fastest player in college football, Donte Jackson, back on special teams? It couldn’t hurt.