Texas A&M at Auburn – Preview and Prediction
AUBURN 3.5 TEXAS A&M (54.5)
Implied Projected Score: Auburn 29 Texas A&M 25.5
MEGALOCKS LINE – Auburn 3
The Game
This is a very underrated match-up on a weekend full of great games. Both teams get their first taste of SEC play this season in a Saturday night game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn played Clemson tough in their opening week loss and then pummeled Arkansas St last week. Texas A&M has a 2-0 record featuring an OT win over UCLA.
The Match-Up
Auburn offense vs Texas A&M defense
Now that is more like it ! Auburn is a lot of fun to watch when they get that ground game working. Even if they need to use 11 QBs. Last week they rolled for over 700 yards of offense including 462 (!) on the ground. As much as we like the Texas A&M defense, the Aggies gave up 311 yards rushing in last season’s game vs the Tigers and we see more of the same on Saturday. Maybe not 300 yards, but certainly enough to move the chains, and to allow QB Sean White to hit some plays in the passing game. It just may not be the ideal match-up for the Aggies. We will note that Auburn has given up a lot of sacks and TFL so far this season so Texas A&M has a chance to slow them down and make some big plays with PENETRATION.
Texas A&M offense vs Auburn defense
The offense was good enough in week one vs UCLA but was inconsistent. Trevor Knight has only hit 54% of his passes so far and thrown two interceptions. The Auburn run defense has been pretty good so far and we are worried about Knight having to do too much in this game to keep pace with Auburn. The Aggies will have to be balanced like they were against UCLA (203 rush, 239 passing) or risk getting too far behind early on in the game.
MEGA morsels
Texas A&M has only given up two sacks so far this season but face a stiff challenge this week at Auburn….The home team is 0-4 SU in the series since they became SEC buddies….Auburn is 3-10 ATS L13 at home but they did pull off the cover in week one at home vs Clemson…..Random thought….so who is the 2nd best team in the SEC West ?? Feels like an interesting year ahead.
Summary
Texas A&M was one of our favorite plays on the board when we first looked at the card last Sunday. We decided to take a further look and think that this match-up may not suit the Aggies. Maybe we are wrong. Just do not want to step in front of the Auburn train right now.
Conclusion
Official play: None
Lean: None. (It was Texas A&M. Then Auburn. Now ?? Not sure.)