No. 15 Texas A&M (8-2, 5-1 SEC) aims to maintain its momentum as they prepare to face Auburn (4-6, 1-5) this Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EST on ESPN.
According to BetMGM, Texas A&M is favored by 2.5 points in this matchup.
In their historical meetings, Texas A&M holds a slight edge over Auburn with an 8-6 series lead.
As the Aggies push for their inaugural Southeastern Conference title and a shot at the playoffs, they recognize the critical nature of this game’s outcome—another defeat could jeopardize both goals.
While the looming challenge against fierce in-state rival Texas awaits, Texas A&M must focus and avoid overlooking their current matchup.
For Auburn, victory in both remaining games is essential to prevent a fourth consecutive losing season, adding pressure to their performance.
A key battle to watch will be Auburn’s running attack led by Jarquez Hunter, who has exceeded 1,015 rushing yards this season, contributing five touchdowns.
His standout performance, a remarkable 278-yard effort against Kentucky, coincided with Auburn’s only SEC victory, highlight the reliance on their inconsistent passing game.
Conversely, the Aggies’ defense has been formidable, allowing only two of their last seven opponents to rush for over 100 yards, including an impressive effort against LSU where they limited the Tigers to 24 yards on the ground.
The Texas A&M defensive front is anchored by standout players like Shemar Turner and transfer Nic Scourton.
In terms of players to keep an eye on, for Texas A&M, quarterback Marcel Reed has been a reliable starter with a record of 4-1.
He has thrown for 1,129 yards, with nine touchdowns and two interceptions, while also adding 375 rushing yards and six scores.
Meanwhile, Auburn’s quarterback, Payton Thorne, has had a rollercoaster season yet managed to record a personal best of five touchdown passes during a dominant 48-14 win over Louisiana-Monroe.
However, Thorne has hit a rough patch lately, managing only three touchdown passes over the last four SEC matchups.
Regarding statistical insights, Texas A&M has triumphed in three of their past four encounters with Auburn, including a 27-10 win at home last season.
Notably, the Aggies lead the SEC and rank fifth nationally with only 37 tackles for loss allowed this season.
Auburn, on the other hand, is ranked fourth nationally with 14 passing plays of 40 yards or more.
In a significant achievement, the Tigers achieved their first penalty-free game since at least 1996 versus Louisiana-Monroe, and they currently average a league-low of 5.40 penalties per contest.
Only seven other teams in the FBS have recorded penalty-free games this season, making Auburn’s discipline a point of interest moving forward.