Texas A&M vs Auburn Preview
Auburn and Texas A&M are both on a roll and sit at 6-2. Somethings got to give. By: The Hammer
Jaylen Wydermyer hauls in a TD in a big game against Auburn a year ago. Photo via Butch Dill, AP Photo
What a matchup we have on our hands this Saturday. These are the kind of games you play in the SEC for. A top 15 showdown the first weekend of November in front of a sold out crowd at Kyle Field. It doesn't get any better. Both teams are battle tested and sit at 6-2, with grand plans of making a New Years 6 bowl game, and maybe a run at the CFP. Auburn and A&M both like to run the ball, play solid defense and are statistically quite similar. I can’t wait to see these two teams strap it up.
At the beginning of the year, I did not think this game would end up being a very important one. Not that conference games are ever not important, but I wasn’t expecting Auburn to be very good this season. I didn't trust Bryan Harsin, I didn't trust Bo Nix, and I saw how they played a year ago. Obviously those assumptions were wrong, because this Auburn team can play ball. They are a very good team, coming off a big time home win over a top 10 (at the time) Ole Miss team and are playing consistently, something the previous regime struggled with.
This Auburn team is battle tested. They played Penn State on the road at night in the first white out environment since 2019. They played Georgia at home, and traveled to LSU and Arkansas. They needed a miracle to beat a weak Georgia State team, and benched Bo Nix in that game. Fired the wide receivers coach after it. The Tigers have been through a gauntlet so far and are sitting at 6-2. Auburn is a well coached, hard nosed, disciplined, good football team. It’s going to be a big challenge to beat them on Saturday.
Bo Nix has a reputation, that is well earned by the way, of playing poorly on the road. Although he did win his only game at Kyle Field in 2019, Nix’s home vs road statistics used to be night and day. Not this year. He’s played quite well on the road this year. Nix has not been putting up dynamic numbers this year, and he doesn’t have many weapons on the outside, but there is no doubt Nix is playing the best football of his career. On the year, Nix is completing 62% of his passes and has thrown for 1,764 yards 9 touchdowns and 2 interceptions. Again, not huge numbers but the biggest change is only throwing 2 interceptions. He’s playing with a ton of confidence and taking care of the ball better than ever. As we know, his legs are always a threat as well. Nix is playing much more in the pocket in Mike Bobo’s offense than what he did under Malzahn, and he just seems comfortable right now, but his legs are always a factor.
Part of the reason Nix has looked so comfortable is the Auburn run game. The Tigers are averaging just over 197 yards rushing per game, and Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter are one of the best running back duos in the SEC. Bigsby is averaging 5.3 yards per carry and Hunter is averaging 7.3 yards per carry, on about half the touches. Stopping this tandem will be a huge key to an Aggie victory. If Auburn is able to run for nearly 200 yards, it will be extremely difficult for A&M to win and would take some luck. I have a good feeling about this one though. Our defense has been playing very well most of the year and I think our front seven is up for the challenge.
Auburn’s defense is really solid as well and will pose a strong challenge to our offense, much better than Missouri or South Carolina. Texas A&M will need to run the ball well here because this game will be won in the trenches. Neither coaching staff wants to put the game in their quarterback’s hands, so whoever can run the ball and stop the run will have a huge advantage. Despite Auburn having a good defense, led by stud linebacker Zakoby McClain, I really like what I have seen from the Aggie offensive line lately. I don’t think we will run all over Auburn, but I believe we’ll have more success than they will on the ground. I look for Spiller and Achane to be the focal point and get to at least 150 yards between the two of them. Wydermyer could also be in for a big game as Auburn has struggled to cover tight ends so far this season. Getting Wyerdyer involved early will be key.
Lastly, we need Zach Calzada to have a good game obviously. He doesn’t need to match his performance against Alabama to win, but it’d be a lot cooler if he did. Since Alabama, Calzada has had two average games. Nothing bad, nothing special, just decent games. Assuming A&M is able to run the ball with some effectiveness, I think Calzada needs to complete above 60% of his passes and hit on a a deep shot or two. If he can pull that off, I really like our chances.
Across the board, this game is pretty evenly matched. I really like this Auburn team and expect a great game, but I’m taking the Aggies here. We are on a roll as of late and coming off a bye week. This game at home also tips the scales in our favor. I’m confident in this team and this coaching staff to be ready. Under Jimbo Fisher, the Aggies have always improved as the year progresses and we now play our best late in the year. Come November, it’s winning time and this team knows it. Time to go show it.
Texas A&M 27
Auburn 20
#BTHOAUBURN
