Game preview: (14) Auburn vs. Samford

FOUR DOWN TERRITORY

1) Rebound: Beating up on an FCS team won't do anything to help Auburn in the standings or polls, but after two weeks of emotional lows, a win will give some players something positive. The Tigers could still play in a New Year's Day bowl with a win over Alabama in the Iron Bowl, so the real rebound opportunity comes in a week.

2) Senior sendoff: It's the final home game for Auburn's seniors and while it certainly will lack the intensity of almost every other game this season, it'll be the last time many fans get to see Nick Marshall, Cameron Artis-Payne, Reese Dismukes, Gabe Wright, Jonathon Mincy, Jermaine Whitehead and the rest of the seniors. This group endured a lot in their time at Auburn.

3) Johnson likely: G.W. Carver graduate Jeremy Johnson will likely get a chance to play more than he has in any game since the season opener. The sophomore got in for five passes at the end of last week's game at Georgia, his first action in five games. Auburn won't want to risk injury to Marshall or many other starters, so Johnson and the second string could see a lot of action.

4) No win for defense: There is nothing the defense can do today that will satisfy an infuriated fan base. A shutout with 10 sacks and four takeaways will be tossed aside as meaningless. If Samford gains any significant yards, some will cite it as further reason for change to happen.

KEY MATCHUP

Fans against fatigue

For an FCS game to be at 6 p.m. is a major deterrent for fans to want to show up in the first place, but those who do may not stay for long. These annual non-conference beat downs are billed as "family friendly" and "affordable" for those wishing to bring young children. But a late game, and late drive home, is anything but family friendly.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Roc Thomas
Running back, Fr., 5-10, 193

Thomas should be in line for his most carries of the season. Artis-Payne will be out early, Corey Grant may get a few touches, but Roc should get the lion's share of the work in this games. The true freshman has shown great playmaking ability and a clearly inferior opponent will give him a chance to put on a show.

BY THE NUMBERS

27: Number of Auburn seniors playing their final home game

26-0-1: Auburn's all-time lead in the series

25: Consecutive nonconference home wins for the Tigers

55.2: Auburn's third-down conversion rate, second in the FBS

5: Consecutive games allowing 30 points and 400 yards, a first in program history

PREDICTION

An uninspired crowd will head for the exits well before the end of Auburn's annual hammering of an FCS team.

Auburn 56, Samford 7.

THE GAME

When: 6 p.m. today

Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn

Records: Auburn (7-3, 4-3 SEC), Samford (7-3, 5-2 SoCon)

Line: Auburn by 38

On the air: TV — ESPNU. Radio — WMSP-AM 740, WLWI-FM 92.3

Twitter: @JamesCrepea, @MGMsports

Hashtag: #WarEagle, #Auburn