This Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the New Mexico Lobos with a 0-2 record will face the Auburn Tigers who are currently 1-1; the game will be broadcasted on ESPN2. According to BetMGM College Football Odds, Auburn is favored to win by 28 points, with this being the first meeting between the two teams.
Auburn is eager for a strong comeback following a tough loss to California, where quarterback Payton Thorne threw four interceptions, sparking concerns about his position. On the other hand, the Lobos, under the guidance of new head coach Bronco Mendenhall, are still seeking their first victory after a close game against No. 20 Arizona, which they lost 61-39.
A key matchup to watch will be Auburn’s offense, looking for improvement after five turnovers in their previous game, against New Mexico’s struggling defense. The Lobos currently rank poorly among FBS teams in total defense, scoring defense, run defense, and pass defense.
Players to watch include New Mexico’s quarterback Devon Dampier, who showed promise by passing for 260 yards and rushing for 130 yards against Arizona. For Auburn, the quarterback situation is uncertain, with Thorne potentially facing being benched in favor of the backup, Hank Brown, due to inconsistencies and mistakes on the field.
Factually, the Auburn Tigers have a history of winning homecoming games, having secured their last 32 such games. Additionally, Auburn’s wide receivers have already equaled last year’s total of seven touchdown catches. Noteworthy, New Mexico’s loss to Sam Houston State marked their first defeat to an FCS team in years. The Lobos have shown improvement in capitalizing on turnovers compared to last season, scoring touchdowns after all three forced turnovers. Auburn’s defense is performing well in the tackles for loss category, tied for second in the SEC with 19.