Auburn football snapped a four-game losing streak last week by taking down Kentucky on the road, 24-14. Can the Tigers extend their winning streak this Saturday?
The challenge will be high as Auburn welcomes Vanderbilt to Jordan-Hare Stadium for its first home game since the Sept. 28 loss to Oklahoma. Vanderbilt has been the shock of the conference so far this season by winning five games, including one over then-No. 1 Alabama. Last week, Vanderbilt lost at home to Texas, 27-24. All three losses this season have been by a total of 10 points, so it is easy to see why the Tigers should be on high alert despite being the favorite to win.
Earlier this week, we examined five reasons Auburn could struggle at home against the rising Commodores. Today, we take a more optimistic approach to Saturday’s game by breaking down five reasons why the Tigers could inch closer to bowl eligibility by taking down Vanderbilt at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Auburn running back Jarquez Hunter had the game of his life last Saturday at Kentucky, rushing for 278 yards on 23 carries with two touchdowns. Vanderbilt is 9th in the SEC at stopping the run, which could open the door for Hunter to have another successful game on the ground.
Vanderbilt also ranks in the bottom half of the SEC at defending the pass, which could mean great things for Payton Thorne and the Auburn offense. According to PFF data, Vanderbilt has yet to grade above 65 in the pass rush in a game this season and has reached a 70-or-higher in just two of its eight games. Thorne should benefit from having extra time to pass to his key targets.
Will the reigning SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week have another solid outing? Last week, Keldric Faulk recorded two sacks in the Tigers’ win over Kentucky and is poised to be in the running for the award again as Vanderbilt’s pass blocking is its Achilles heel according to PFF. The Commodores have only graded higher than 70 in one game this season and have two games grading at just 33.1. Expect Faulk, Jalen McLeod, and Eugene Asante to perform well against Vanderbilt’s offensive line.
“I’m sick of seeing that quarterback. I’ve had enough of him.” Those words were expressed by Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze this week in regards to Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia, who was a thorn in Freeze’s side over the last two seasons at New Mexico State. In two games against Hugh Freeze-coached teams, Pavia has completed 71% of his passes (35-of-49) for 415 yards and six touchdowns while adding 160 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
There is no doubt that Freeze has spent time this week perfecting the best plan possible to keep Pavia from having another great day against the Tiger defense. If his plan works, Auburn should get out with a win.
For the first time since Sept. 28, the Auburn Tigers will play a game in front of the home crowd at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Despite its struggles this season, Auburn will have unwavering support in the stands from the Auburn fanbase, which will provide an excellent home-field advantage to the Tigers.