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Tale of the Tape: Auburn vs. Cal

Will a deeper dive into the tale of the tape show Cal has a higher chance of stalling Auburn’s momentum on the Plains than the experts believe?

The Auburn Tigers (1-0) take on ACC opponent California (1-0) on Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn comes into the matchup fresh off a 73-3 beatdown of FCS in-state “rival” Alabama A&M, while the Golden Bears took care of business in their opener as well, taking down UC Davis 31-13.

Hugh Freeze’s Tigers played about the most efficient game they could in week one. The new-look and heavily improved offense managed 9 touchdowns and a field goal, taking 6 plays or less on every single scoring drive. While the output was heavily impressive, Cal’s defense is sure to provide more resistance than the Bulldogs did a week ago.

Still, sports books like Auburn’s chances of improving to 2-0 on the young season, as the Tigers are favored by 12.5 points on BetMGM.

ESPN FPI likes the Tigers chances of staying undefeated as well, as the system gives Hugh Freeze’s squad an 81.4% chance to play well enough for the Auburn faithful to roll Toomers Corner after the dust has settled.

Will a deeper dive into the tale of the tape show Cal has a higher chance of stalling Auburn’s momentum on the Plains than the experts believe? As we always, we’ll start by looking at the quarterbacks.

Auburn senior Payton Thorne played arguably his best game as a Tiger in week one. The former Michigan State Spartan threw for 322 yards and 4 touchdowns in the win over Alabama A&M, despite completing just 13 passes. The Naperville, IL native showed how well he can perform with solid playmakers around him during his time with Kenneth Walker II in East Lansing, and Tiger fans got a peak at his ceiling in last week’s victory.

On the other side, Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza comes into 2024 fresh off of a solid second-half performance to end last season. The redshirt sophomore did not play in last season’s Cal-Auburn matchup in Berkeley, but he took over the starting quarterback job shortly after and has been given the keys to the offense ever since. The former Miami Hurricane wasn’t fantastic in week one, but he was good enough to help the Golden Bears earn the win. In total, Mendoza completed 15 of 22 passes for 158 yards and a touchdown.

With the experience and the dual-threat ability on the side of Payton Thorne, Auburn earns the clear edge in the quarterback battle heading into this matchup on the Plains. As for the skill position battle, the talent gap is closer, but still leans in the direction of the Tigers.

Cal running back Jaydn Ott is an electric 6-foot, 200-pound playmaker with 4.46 40-speed and a nose for the end zone. The junior managed 70 yards and a touchdown when these programs matched up a year ago, but took 20 carries to get there. The problem, at least for the Golden Bears, is the talent on the offensive side is almost completely funneled through Ott. Last season’s leading receiver, Jeremiah Hunter, is now playing his football for Washington. Cal does return junior Trond Grizzell and sophomore Jack Endries, who combined for almost 900 receiving yards in 2023, but the room is fairly barren after that.

On the other side, Auburn features running back Jarquez Hunter, who is not far behind Cal tail back Jaydn Ott in terms of sheer talent. After Hunter, Auburn’s pass catchers simply have more talent and big-play ability than their Golden Bear counterparts. [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith,[/autotag] [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag], [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag], and Malcolm Simmons combined for 6 touchdowns and 315 receiving yards in week one. That output is almost double that of Cal’s entire passing attack as it currently stands.

With Robert Lewis and Rivaldo Fairweather in the fold as well, Auburn’s skill position players have a major edge over Cal’s in this game.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers have the edge as well. Although Cal’s defense is solid, Auburn features possibly the best linebacker tandem in the SEC with Eugene Asante and Jalen McLeod. The Tigers were on the field for nearly 80% of the week one win and managed to hold Alabama A&M out of the end zone. Cal on the other hand let up 13 points to UC Davis. The Golden Bears best defensive player from a season ago, safety Patrick McMorris, now plays in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins. Their best linebacker from 2023, Kaleb Elarms-Orr, now plays his college football at TCU.

Auburn lost some pieces as well, but the Tigers were able to re-tool much better in 2024 than their counterparts from the west coast.

After taking a look at the tale of the tape, it’s clear Auburn has the edge in this rematch of Power 5 programs. While Cal nearly beat the Tigers a season ago, the home-field advantage and changes in personnel on both sides give Auburn the clear edge in the rematch on Saturday.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @TheRealBHauch

Auburn stays put at No. 12 in SEC Power Poll after opening night victory

Despite the emphatic statement victory, most experts still believe the Tigers are a long way from contending for an SEC title.

The Auburn Tigers collected one of the best wins in the college football world on Saturday night, as the offense hummed their way to 73 points in a 70-point shellacking on in-state opponent Alabama A&M. Despite the emphatic statement victory, most experts still believe the Tigers are well on the outside looking in when it comes to competing for an SEC Championship.

This sentiment held true for Tuscaloosa News’s SEC writer Chase Goodbread, who ranked the Tigers at the No. 12 spot in his SEC power poll after week one. Even after the Auburn’s new-look offense had their way with an inferior opponent, the Tigers rank ahead of only South Carolina (16), Mississippi State (15), Arkansas (14), and Vanderbilt (13) on the list.

After telling fans he needed to see explosive sparks from Auburn’s new offense last week, he warns that the Tigers could be on upset alert this week against ACC opponent Cal, making it fairly clear he was not convinced after [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag], [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag], [autotag]Malcolm Simmons[/autotag], and [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] tore up an inferior Alabama A&M defense in week one.

It is important to remember Alabama A&M was a 45-point underdog in Jordan-Hare a week ago. 315 combined receiving yards from the quartet of Simmons, Lambert-Smith, Coleman, and [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag] was a fantastic first step, but experts will need to see success against better competition before claiming the Tigers offense as top notch.

Payton Thorne and company have the opportunity to prove week one wasn’t a fluke as soon as this Saturday when Auburn hosts Power four opponent Cal from Jordan-Hare stadium. Another assertive win could push [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag]’s squad closer to the top of Goodbread’s poll.

Currently, the top five consists of Georgia (1), Texas (2), Alabama (3), Ole Miss (4), and Tennessee (5). While a win this week is unlikely to leapfrog Auburn near the top, it could help them fly by Florida (11) and Texas A&M (10), who both lost in week one.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Brian on Twitter @TheRealBHauch

Tigers of the Game: Shades of ‘vintage’ Thorne graced Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday

Auburn football grabbed the season-opening win over Alabama A&M due in part to Thorne’s great passing.

Auburn quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] had a disappointing season in 2023 where he passed for just 1,755 yards and 16 touchdowns. [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] overhauled the receiving unit during the offseason in hopes of giving Thorne the opportunity to replicate his 2021 success when he passed for over 3,000 yards and led Michigan State to 11 wins and a Peach Bowl win.

It is still too early to tell if Thorne can bring Auburn similar success in 2024, but he has gotten off to a great start.

Thorne passed for 322 yards and four touchdowns in Auburn’s season-opening win over Alabama A&M on Saturday. Thorne eclipsed the 300-yard mark for the first time as a Tiger and his four touchdown passes are the most he has thrown since the 2022 season in Michigan State’s season-opening win over Western Michigan. It was his best performance in an Auburn uniform since he passed for 230 yards and three touchdowns against Mississippi State last October.

After the game, Thorne discussed his excitement of being able to connect on multiple deep passes.

“It was great, nice to see that we were able to take some shots down the field and connect on them and then obviously finish it the rest of the way and get in the endzone. It means a lot. You know it’s good to get out here and do it against another team and see it happen and it’s something we have to build on.”

Who are some other players that are worthy of a “Tiger of the Game” nod? Here are the players that caught the eyes of Auburn Wire writers Taylor Jones, Brian Hauch, Tyler Raley, and Auburn fans for their performance against Alabama A&M.

Following a strong scoring output, it is easy to see why the Auburn offense is earning a bulk of the attention. However, limiting Alabama A&M to three points and 242 yards can not go unnoticed. Jalen McLeod was Auburn’s top defensive player on Saturday after recording five tackles with two tackles for loss and a sack.

The “Freeze Four” had a stellar debut as [autotag]Malcolm Simmons[/autotag], [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag], [autotag]Bryce Cain[/autotag], and [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] all logging at least one reception, with three of them finding the endzone.

However, it was Simmons that had the most impressive debut. Simmons hauled in a team-leading 91 receiving yards with an offensive touchdown. His first score came in the 3rd quarter when he recovered a blocked put in the end zone and earned his first receiving touchdown seven minutes later when he brought in a 57-yard pass from [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag].

The debut of “Big Play Dre” was memorable. Penn State’s leading receiver from a year ago ended his first game in orange and blue with three catches for 80 yards and a team-leading two touchdowns. Look for Lambert-Smith to be a life force for Payton Thorne this season.

Auburn fans have spoken, and they have chosen quarterback Payton Thorne as the “Tiger of the Game” after his performance against Alabama A&M. To have a say in who wins next week’s “Tiger of the Game” award, visit Auburn Wire on X (formerly Twitter) after every game to cast your vote.

Here’s an updated look at how many “Tiger of the Game” honors each Auburn player has earned this season:

KeAndre Lambert-Smith (1)
Payton Thorne (1)
Malcolm Simmons (1)
Jalen McLeod (1)

Instant analysis: Revamped passing game shines in Auburn’s season-opening win over Alabama A&M

Auburn receivers lived up to expectations in the Tigers 73-3 win over Alabama A&M on Saturday.

Auburn football fans entered the 2024 season hoping to see new life within the passing game.

Through one game, it is safe to say that quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] and the Tigers’ receivers lived up to fans’ expectations.

Thorne and backup quarterback [autotag]Hank Brown[/autotag] combined to complete 18-of-28 passes for 451 yards and six touchdowns in Auburn’s 73-3 victory over Alabama A&M. The duo combined to connect with 10 different receivers.

After [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag]’s 34-yard touchdown run with 14:13 in the 1st quarter, Auburn went on to record four receiving touchdowns over its next six drives. On the Tigers’ ensuing possession, Thorne connected with Penn State transfer [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] on a 67-yard pass to push Auburn ahead, 14-0 with 12:47 remaining in the opening quarter. Thorne and Lambert-Smith hooked up again later in the quarter on a 4-yard touchdown pass. In-between Thorne and Lambert-Smith’s connections, freshman [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] hauled in his first collegiate pass for a 44-yard touchdown to push the Tigers ahead, 21-0.

Thorne’s final passing score of the night came with 10:10 remaining in the first half when he found another true freshman, [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag], for a 70-yard touchdown pass to extend the lead to 38-0. Thorne passed the torch to Brown after calling his own number for a four-yard rush to give Auburn the 45-3 lead with 3:22 in the 2nd quarter.

Brown picked up where Thorne left off by throwing two touchdown passes of over 35 yards. He found freshman [autotag]Malcolm Simmons[/autotag] for a 57 yard score and later connected with Cal transfer [autotag]Sam Jackson V[/autotag] from 37 yards out. Brown’s home debut concluded after passing for 96 yards and two scores.

[autotag]Holden Geriner[/autotag] finished the game by leading Auburn’s final drive that lasted five plays, 36 yards. However, it resulted in a lost fumble.

Three Auburn receivers recorded over 80 yards of receptions: Malcolm Simmons (91 yards), Perry Thompson (82), and KeAndre Lambert-Smith (80). Cam Coleman logged 62 yards on two catches with a touchdown in his highly-anticipated debut.

Auburn football kicks off the 2024 season with a 1-0 record. Next week, the Tigers will look to remain unbeaten by hosting Cal at Jordan-Hare Stadium for a 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__

Where does Auburn land in this week’s USA TODAY Sports SEC Power Poll?

Will the Tigers have the chance to improve their stock with a win over Alabama A&M?

As SEC football gets underway this weekend, the Auburn Tigers look to make a strong impression among its fanbase and college football experts with a great showing at home against Alabama A&M.

Auburn football is on a quest to win more than six games for the first time this decade and has the talent on its roster to make that dream turn into reality. However, many experts are not ready to give Auburn “SEC Championship contender” status this season until they have a few games under their belt, including Chase Goodbread of the Tuscaloosa News. Goodbread released his debut SEC Power Poll ahead of the 2024 season and has given Auburn the No. 12 slot.

His early assessment of the Tigers is spot on, as he declares that Auburn fans will “demand more explosiveness from Hugh Freeze’s offense this year.” Freeze has done wonders this offseason by nearly gutting last season’s wide receiver room and rebuilding the unit with solid transfers including former Georgia State star [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag] and Penn State transfer [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag]. Freshmen [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] and [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag] are expected to contribute heavily this season alongside the Tigers’ leading receiver from a year ago, [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag].

If the Tigers do not improve upon last season’s output, which ranked last among SEC teams at 162.23 yards per game, Auburn fans will become understandably frustrated. However, Freeze’s track record proves he will continue building Auburn into an offense powerhouse in 2024. Goodbread leaves the door open for Auburn to climb in the rankings in upcoming weeks if the Tigers can provide enough offensive firepower.

Georgia, Texas, Alabama, Ole Miss, and Tennessee make up the top five while Kentucky and Texas A&M are ahead of Auburn for a top-10 placement.

Bryce Cain brings ‘grateful’ attitude to the Plains

Cain never dreamed he would be an Auburn Tiger, and he is enjoying every second of it.

Auburn football freshman wide receiver [autotag]Bryce Cain[/autotag] had an unorthodox journey to the Plains and is enjoying every second.

Cain, who signed with Auburn as part of its historical wide receiver class in 2024, began playing football as an 11th grader after spending most of his athletic career on the baseball diamond. He broke out in 2022 by hauling 31 catches for 390 yards for the Baker Hornets and blew past those numbers as a senior in 2023 with 948 yards on 43 catches with 16 touchdowns.

Due to those impressive numbers and visits to several camps, Cain became an attractive target on many college football recruiting boards, including Auburn’s. It was a path that Cain could have never predicted.

“I never thought this day would come,” Cain said during a recent media availability. “I just gave it in God’s hands, and he led me to the right path. I didn’t think I was going to be here, but I am. And I’m grateful.”

His stats were impressive, but his speed drew Auburn wide receivers coach [autotag]Marcus Davis[/autotag] to Cain. Davis is excited for the potential that Cain can bring to the Auburn offense.

“One thing you can’t coach is speed, and he’s definitely got that. You can see his development from the spring to now; you can tell he was here this spring, just with how he’s developed. Just knowing what to do,” Davis said. “It’s fun coaching Bryce; he’s another guy who comes in with the same attitude every day, man. One thing I can say about the room right now is the approach to things is a grateful, gratitude attitude. It’s been fun so far.”

Cain is a member of the infamous “Freeze Four” which includes [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag], [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag], and [autotag]Malcolm Simmons[/autotag]. He says that the hype surrounding the group is real and expects the unit to make an immediate impact.

“Oh we can have a big impact,” Cain said. “If we get all the plays down and learn just like that *snaps* we’re going to be on the field. It’s going to be a big impact for this team.”

Cain joins Auburn as the No. 13 recruit from Alabama from the 2024 class according to 247Sports, and the No. 30 wide receiver nationally.

Payton Thorne included on Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award watchlist

Thorne is one of 11 SEC quarterbacks included on this year’s watchlist.

Watchlist season continues to be kind to Auburn, as another offensive playmaker has earned preseason recognition.

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award released its preseason watchlist this week and has included Auburn quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] on its radar. Thorne is one of 63 quarterbacks across all ten FBS conferences to earn a place on the coveted list and is one of 11 quarterbacks from the SEC to grab the honor.

Thorne passed for just over 1,700 yards last season, but the hype surrounding his supporting cast has caused his stock to rise. This season, Thorne’s top target from last season, [autotag]Rivaldo Fairweather[/autotag], returns to the receiving corps while true freshman [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] and [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag], as well as experienced newcomers [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag] and [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag], join the unit in hopes of boosting the Tigers’ pass catching numbers.

The Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award is given annually to the nation’s top quarterback who shows great character, citizenship, scholastic achievement, and leadership qualities. The winning candidate will receive the award on Dec. 6 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Baltimore, Maryland.

Cam Coleman included on USA TODAY Sports’ instant impact freshmen list

Coleman has caught the eye of many national writers this season including USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg.

Freshman wide receiver [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] has turned the heads of a few college football experts, including USA TODAY Sports’ Paul Myerberg.

Myerberg recently released his picks for the 10 college football freshmen ready to make an instant impact this season, including Auburn’s top 2024 signee. Myerberg says that Coleman’s impressive showing at A-Day should carry over into his freshman season.

Coleman is one of two five-star freshmen receivers joining this year’s Iron Bowl, along with Alabama’s Ryan Williams. But Williams is a wild card because of the fact he was not an early enrollee, making it harder to predict whether he’ll be ready to contribute for new coach Kalen DeBoer. Coleman could change the complexion of Auburn’s receiver room as a freshman and will definitely bring a big spark to a passing game that was putrid a year ago.

This is the second “impact freshmen” list that Coleman has joined recently. Earlier this week, ESPN mentioned the Phenix City native among the SEC’s top newcomers. Mark Schlabach and Chris Low join Myerberg in predicting Coleman to impact Auburn’s offense this season.

Coleman enters his freshman season at Auburn as the nation’s No. 4 overall recruit from the 2024 class, and the No. 2 wide receiver. He, along with fellow freshman receiver [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag], [autotag]Bryce Cain[/autotag], and [autotag]Malcolm Simmons[/autotag] will make their debuts on Saturday, Aug. 31 when the Tigers host Alabama A&M for the season-opener at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

What does Payton Thorne think about Cam Coleman’s skills?

Thorne comments on the highly-ranked freshmen’s skills ahead of the 2024 season.

Auburn football kicks off its 2024 campaign in just a matter of weeks and the hype around the season is building as the days go by. Many fans have high expectations for some of the newcomers they will season, and for good reason.

The main topic of conversation in that regard will be on wide receiver [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag], who is being seen as a player that will be a force on the Plains.

As if he does not have enough good things being said about him, quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] added on to it when talking to his former Michigan State teammate, Jayden Reed.

Coleman’s ability to catch the ball in unique ways is one thing that stands out to many, and a lot of that comes from his phenomenal leaping ability. It is so phenomenal, that Thorne believes Coleman can jump higher than his former Michigan State teammate, Keon Coleman.

“I’ve never seen somebody who can jump as high as (Cam) can. It’s honestly majestic,” Thorne said.

Coleman makes his way to the Plains after finishing his high school career with a Class 7A state championship at Central-Phenix City in Alabama and looks to turn some heads in the early going.

He will be seen along with other new wide receivers like [autotag]Bryce Cain[/autotag], [autotag]Malcolm Simmons[/autotag], and [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag] when the Tigers take the field for their week one game against the Alabama A&M Bulldogs on Aug. 31 at 6:30 p.m. CST.

Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Tyler on Twitter @traley34

Is Jarquez Hunter Auburn’s offensive MVP?

ESPN’s Bill Connelly explains why Auburn’s offense will thrive as long as Hunter is heavily involved.

Auburn’s offense was less than spectacular last season as it finished No. 11 in the SEC with an average of 351 yards per game. Scoring-wise, the Tigers also finished No. 11 in the conference by scoring 26.1 points per contest.

The only consistent aspect of Auburn’s offense was running back [autotag]Jarquez Hunter[/autotag], who ended the season with 909 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Despite Auburn’s additions to its receiver room, Auburn’s success will still depend heavily on Hunter.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly revealed that Hunter is his favorite Auburn player in his SEC preview, and explained just how valuable Hunter was to the Tigers’ offense in 2023.

When Hunter got rolling, Auburn had a chance. Not counting games against UMass and Samford, when Hunter averaged at least 6.0 yards per carry, the Tigers averaged 30.2 points per game and went 3-2; when he didn’t, they averaged 14.2 PPG and went 1-5. He averaged 3.6 yards per carry after contact and ground out 6.4 yards per carry between the tackles. Just imagine what he could have done if Auburn could throw even a little.

Connelly also expects Auburn’s passing game to be upgraded this season due to transfers [autotag]KeAndre Lambert-Smith[/autotag] and [autotag]Robert Lewis[/autotag], as well as incoming freshmen [autotag]Cam Coleman[/autotag] and [autotag]Perry Thompson[/autotag]. Auburn will look to improve upon its No. 102 ranked passing success rate in 2024 with an improved offensive line and revamped targets for quarterback [autotag]Payton Thorne[/autotag] to pass to.