LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger

So far, so easy.

Redshirt junior Zach Mettenberger has made a seamless transition as LSU's starting quarterback, completing 48 of 66 passes (72.7 percent) for 609 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. The Tigers were expected to dominate their early season schedule and have done just that, outscoring North Texas, Washington and Idaho by 114 points.

LSU is averaging 472.3 yards of total offense with its 6-foot-5, 222-pound quarterback after averaging 355.1 yards a game last season.

"I think what he's doing is just what he needs to do," LSU coach Les Miles said Wednesday. "He's maturing. He's much more comfortable under center. We ask a lot of our quarterbacks and always will, but he's minimized that and just done a really good job.

"He's got good leadership ability, and he's giving us what we need."

Mettenberger, who enrolled at Georgia in January 2009 but was dismissed from that program in April 2010, has made all three of his starts in Baton Rouge. He will play on the road for the first time Saturday night when the No. 2 Tigers visit Auburn.

"He's a big ol' guy who can stand up in there and see the field, and he makes very accurate throws," Auburn coach Gene Chizik said. "He's got some receivers to throw to as well, and they're not afraid to take those shots down the field."

LSU is 1-5 in its last six trips to Auburn.

Pasquali's Pix:

Kentucky at Florida: The Joker doesn't seem to be working out right now in Lexington. Perhaps it's time to try The Riddler. Gators 43, Wildcats 10.

Missouri at South Carolina: The Tigers were introduced to the SEC by Jarvis Jones, and now they face Jadeveon Clowney. Gamecocks 30, Tigers 19.

Florida Atlantic at Alabama: The Crimson Tide are gunning for three straight shutout wins for the first time since skunking LSU, South Carolina, Southern Miss and Auburn to close the 1966 regular season. Bama 45, FAU zilch.

App State at UTC: Forget about this one. When do the Mocs challenge The Citadel? Mocs 24, Mountaineers 22.

LSU at Auburn: The Tigers scored on their first possession at Georgia last season, and they haven't scored an offensive touchdown against SEC opposition since. Mettenbergers 31, Fraziers 9.

Akron at Tennessee: What is 12 inches long and hangs 12 inches from the ground? Terry Bowden's necktie. Volunteers 44, Zips 13.

Vanderbilt at Georgia: The Commodores have won the pregame buildup with James Franklin's "Mai Tais" comment. Bulldogs 37, Commodores 14.

Clemson at Florida State: Yabba Dabo won't. Seminoles 28, Tigers 19.

Last week:

Winners...........................19

Hog fans remaining.........6

Pasquali is 61-14 overall (81.3 percent) this season.

OTHER PICKS

Ole Miss 48, Tulane 35

Arkansas 26, Rutgers 23

Miss. St. 51, S. Alabama 12

Texas A&M 40, S.C. State 7

Georgia Tech 42, Miami 20

Va. Tech 34, Bowling Green 9

West Virginia 55, Maryland 16

TCU 39, Virginia 28

Wake Forest 23, Army 21

N. Carolina 27, E. Carolina 14

N.C. State 38, The Citadel 19

Duke 31, Memphis 10

Notre Dame 33, Michigan 26

Oregon 41, Arizona 34

Oklahoma 28, Kansas St. 17

Ohio State 44, UAB 15

Southern Cal 35, California 22