Game preview: San Jose State at No. 5 Auburn
FOUR-DOWN TERRITORY
1) Marshall starts: After sitting out the first half of last week's game, Nick Marshall will return to the starting lineup. Marshall attempted just six passes, completing four, for 50 yards and had 19 rushing yards with a touchdown last week, but his presence helped open up the Auburn running game. This will be his first chance to show he's developed as a passer, and San Jose State shouldn't be able to do much to pressure him.
2) Near perfect balance: Auburn had almost a 50-50 run-pass distribution last week, with 302 yards on the ground to 293 in the air. The Tigers should be capable of the same this week, though any explosive running plays early on will alter things. The ball may not be in the air at all by the fourth quarter, if not earlier.
3) Feel the rush: Auburn was unable to create a pass rush from the front four against Arkansas, due in large part to the Razorbacks using tight ends to assist in blocking. Today's pass-heavy and undersized opponent should present no match for the Tigers defensive line.
4) Roc 'n Roll: Roc Thomas did not see the field last week. Expect that to change this week once Auburn is up by three possessions. The coaching staff needs to see if he can be relied upon if needed at Kansas State.
KEY MATCHUP
Auburn secondary vs. San Jose WR Tyler Winston
Winston had 10 catches for 96 yards and two touchdowns for the Spartans last week. He's the only starting wide receiver over 6 feet tall, coming in a 6-2 and 191 pounds. If Jonathon Mincy, Jonathan Jones and Josh Holsey can effectively cover the Spartans' top target, it's hard to imagine this game not turning into a runaway quickly.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sammie Coates
Wide Receiver, Jr., 6-2, 201
Coates was a virtual non-factor in last week's rout of Arkansas, with just one catch for 13 yards, his lowest production in five games. He was targeted on a few other occasions, with a drop in the end zone being particularly uncharacteristic, but D'haquille Williams more than made up for it with his nine catches for 154 yards. Look for Coates to get back on track this week against a grossly outmatched SJSU secondary.
BY THE NUMBERS
3-0: Auburn's all-time record against teams from the Mountain West, last defeating Utah State 42-38 in 2011.
1987: The last time San Jose State opened a season 2-0.
2.3: Percent chance of an SJSU victory, according to the ESPN Football Power Index
$1.5 million: Payout San Jose State is receiving for tonight's game, the highest of Auburn's three non-conference opponents this season.
595: Total yards offense by Auburn last week, ranking 12th nationally and second among the 10 teams to play conference games.
PREDICTION
Auburn is vastly superior in all aspects of the game. San Jose State is a pass-heavy team and should be able to score some points, but this will get very ugly very fast. Auburn 49, San Jose State 14
THE GAME
When: 6 p.m. today
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn
Records: Auburn (1-0, 1-0 SEC), San Jose State (1-0, 0-0 Mountain West)
Line: Auburn by 32.5
On the air: TV — ESPN2. Radio — WMSP-AM 740, WLWI-FM 92.3
Twitter: @JamesCrepea, @MGMsports, @DuaneRankin
Hashtag: #Auburn, #WarEagle