Texas A&M (2-1) will face the Auburn Tigers (3-0) as the 2023 college football season flips the page toward Week 4. Saturday’s showdown will mark the start of SEC play for both programs, as well as an unofficial “revenge game” for the Aggies.
A&M totaled just 215 yards of offense with four turnovers generated between these two teams late last season, in what proved to be a sloppy loss for the Maroon and White. This season’s matchup should be a different script, with the Aggies’ offense humming behind the impressive play from sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman.
The Hugh Freeze era is off to a strong start with the Tigers coming into Kyle Field with a spotless 3-0 record. Though they were a bit sluggish against Cal in Week 2, they are coming off a 45-point outing in a home win versus Sanford.
Here’s a preview of Texas A&M’s Week 4 opponent, the Auburn Tigers.
Auburn Tigers
2023 Record: 3-0
Head coach: Hugh Freeze
A 14-10 win against Cal on the road left plenty to be desired, but otherwise, the Freeze era is off to a strong start. The Tigers are in search of its first bowl appearance since 2021 and its first winning season since 2020 when they went 6-5 in the COVID shortened season.
Offensive leaders
QB Payton Thorne
2023 stats: 46/63, 517 passing yards, 4 passing TDs, 140 rushing yards, 2 rushing TDs
RB Damari Alston
2023 stats: 24 carries, 119 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD, 37 receiving yards
Thorne has completed 68.3 percent of his passes to start the season, but he flashed his ability to make plays with his legs in last week’s blowout win over Samford. He had five carries for 124 yards and two rushing scores, which means his mobility will serve as an ample test for the Aggies’ run defense.
Alston has split carries with Jarquez Hunter since the latter’s return from internal suspension, but it’s been the former that’s profiled as the team’s leading rusher. Alston is averaging 5.0 yards per carry through games, giving A&M one of the better runners they’ll play against to start the season.
Defensive leaders
DB Nehemiah Pritchett
2022 stats: 31 total tackles, 4.0 QB hurries, 8.0 pass breakups, 1 defensive TD
LB Eugene Asante
2023 stats: 19 total tackles, 11 solo tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks
Asante has been the Tigers’ best tackler so far, leading the team with 19 through three games alongside two sacks. Nehemiah Pritchett was absent in Auburn’s last game, but his return in Week 4 will provide a huge boon as the Tigers hope to limit the trio of Evan Stewart, Noah Thomas, and Ainias Smith.
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