GAME NOTES: After saving their season with a thrilling road victory last week,
the third-ranked Auburn Tigers will continue their quest for an SEC Western
Division crown on Saturday afternoon when they host the Texas A&M Aggies at
Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The season started out fantastically for Texas A&M with wins in each of its
first five contests, but things quickly fell apart when its schedule grew more
difficult, suffering three straight losses to nationally-ranked squads
Mississippi State (48-31), Ole Miss (35-20) and Alabama (59-0). The Aggies got
back on the winning track last week, but they were barely able to outlast ULM
on their home field in the 21-16 win.
“We needed to win,” Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said. “It’s been a while
since we’ve won…I think (the players) understand that we have work to do.
But certainly the attitude is a lot better right now than it was in the course
of the last few weeks.
Auburn suffered its only loss of the season at No. 1 Mississippi State on Oct.
11, 38-23, but it has responded with back-to-back victories to climb to 7-1
overall and 4-1 in the SEC. The Tigers stayed alive in the West race last week
with a 35-31 victory over Ole Miss, holding on in a game that had six lead
change.
“To get a win (at Ole Miss) is a great effort by our players,” Auburn coach
Gus Malzahn said. “At times we were able to run the ball consistently against
one of the better defenses in the country. The negative would be the (13)
penalties. This is fairly uncharacteristic of our team. We have to do better
in the future, (but) our guys overcame it. They found a way to win a close
game at the end.”
Texas A&M holds a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series with Auburn. The Tigers
claimed their first win in the series on Oct. 19, 2013 in College Station,
45-41.
Texas A&M’s offense (36.4 ppg, 485.4 ypg) was one of the best in the nation
early in the season but has taken a nosedive in recent weeks, as it has scored
just 18.0 ppg in the last four.
With Kenny Hill (.667 completions, 2,649 yards, 23 TDs, eight INTs) beginning
his two-game suspension for violating team rules last week, Kyle Allen made
his first-career start. The freshman struggled, completing just 13-of-28
passes for 106 yards, a touchdown and an interception while getting sacked
three times, and he’ll have one more opportunity to show his stuff before Hill
is back in action.
The Aggies boast one of the nation’s deepest receiving corps, with six players
registering at least 26 catches and five topping 377 yards. Malcome Kennedy
(38 receptions, 386 yards, two TDs) leads the team in catches despite missing
two games. Josh Reynolds (34 receptions, 533 yards) is a great deep threat and
a potent red-zone target with eight touchdowns.
Tra Carson (326 yards, five TDs), Trey Williams (313 yards, five TDs) and
Brandon Williams (280 yards, three TDs) split time evenly in the backfield to
solid results.
Although the defense has been proven vulnerable in recent weeks and has forced
just seven turnovers on the season. The unit has still performed admirably on
a whole this year, allowing 25.9 ppg.
Myles Garrett has been a standout on the defensive line during his freshman
campaign by ranking fifth in the nation in sacks (11.0). Deshazor Everett (54
tackles, INT), Howard Matthews (52 tackles, 2.5 TFL) and Justin Bass (50
tackles) are all jostling for the team lead in stops.
Auburn’s offensive attack has been outstanding this season, as it puts up 38.8
ppg while ranking 18th in the nation in total offense (498.1 ypg). The Tigers
conquered one of the nation’s best defenses last week by displaying a nearly
perfect balance (25 half,” Mullen said. “He
knows we have great confidence in him. He expects to make plays. The great
thing about him is that he’s going to study the film and learn from it and not
make mistakes a second time around.”
The other half of the Bulldogs’ potent rushing duo is Josh Robinson. With
Prescott keeping the defense honest, Robinson has found the holes to pile up
951 yards and 11 touchdowns on 140 carries.
De’Runnya Wilson is Prescott’s preferred target with 22 receptions, 367 yards
and six touchdowns. Ten players have caught a touchdown pass this season,
including Prescott.
Mississippi State plays a bend-but-don’t-break style of defense. Even though
it ranks 13th in the SEC in total defense (434.8 ypg), it allows only 20.1 ppg
thanks in part to forcing 18 turnovers.
Benardrick McKinney is the heart of the defense and one of the best
linebackers in the country with 50 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, three fumble
recoveries and a forced fumble. Preston Smith makes plays all over the field
too with 30 tackles, 9.5 TFL, 6.0 sacks, two interceptions, a forced fumble
and two blocked kicks. Will Redmond and Richie Brown each have three picks.
After suffering a scare last weekend, Mississippi State will welcome a soft
matchup before entering a tough late-season stretch that includes contests
with Alabama and Ole Miss. Expect this one to get out of hand early.
Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Mississippi State 66, Tennessee-Martin 3
