Game preview: Texas A&M at No. 3 Auburn
FOUR DOWN TERRITORY
1. Trap game: After a marquee road game that came down to the wire and a rivalry game up next, this has the makings of a natural letdown for Auburn. It's not to say the Tigers won't win, or win handily, but whether they can bring the same level of intensity as last week in Oxford will dictate how long the game is competitive.
2. Allen's road debut: With Kenny Hill suspended, Kyle Allen makes his second career start and debut on the road. Texas A&M deliberately played at a slower tempo at home against Louisiana-Monroe last week to help the freshman get comfortable. Allen was a highly-touted prospect but he's not Johnny Manziel, at least not yet. Auburn's pass rush got to Bo Wallace, it needs to do the same against Allen.
3. Slowing Garrett: Myles Garrett has 11 sacks, breaking Jadeveon Clowney's SEC freshman record, and ranks second in the SEC. He's coming off a 3 1/2 sack outing against ULM and will be a test for Shon Coleman, who struggled mightily against Mississippi State's Preston Smith earlier this season. Auburn has allowed an SEC-best six sacks, but Nick Marshall hasn't passed very much. When Marshall does pass, he needs his blind side protected.
4. Heisman moment: There are diverging schools of thought as to who, if anyone, from Auburn deserves to be in the Heisman race. Malzahn and the institution are backing Marshall, who is coming off his best game of the season, but whose stats don't stack up well with other quarterbacks, but his statistics when Auburn is trailing by seven or less are spectacular. Cameron Artis-Payne leads the SEC in rushing and the conference's top rusher has made it to New York each of the last five years. Against a terrible rush defense, Marshall or CAP could make the play that separates themselves.
KEY MATCHUP
Texas A&M WR Speedy Noil vs. Auburn CB Jonathon Mincy
Texas A&M's receiving corps is very balanced, with six players with more than 26 receptions and four with over 34. Noil is the most dynamic of the bunch and is a major contributor on special teams as well. Auburn's pass defense has begun to crack in the last two games. If Mincy can keep Noil from breaking a big play, it'll greatly limit the Aggies passing yards.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Sammie Coates
WR, Jr., 6-2, 201
Coates is coming off one of his best performances of the season, with five receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown. Auburn shouldn't have to pass a lot to win big, and may even stick to the run, but it won't take many catches for Coates to make an impact. He's a vertical route runner and against a very poor Texas A&M pass defense, could make his usual 30-plus yard catch on any play.
BY THE NUMBERS
11: Sacks by Myles Garrett, an SEC freshman record
14: Consecutive home wins by Auburn, the longest active streak nationally
974: Rushing yards by Cameron Artis-Payne, best in the SEC
17-1: Auburn's record under Malzahn when it scores 30-plus
15.5: All-Purpose yards per play by Speedy Noil, best in the SEC
PREDICTION
Texas A&M's defense is still below SEC standards and its offense is without the firepower that made the Aggies successful the past two seasons. Auburn moves the ball at will and wins in a landslide. Auburn 45, Texas A&M 24
THE GAME
When: 2:30 p.m. today
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn
Records: Auburn (7-1, 4-1 SEC), Texas A&M (6-3, 2-3)
Line: Auburn by 23½
On the air: TV – CBS. Radio – WMSP-AM 740, WLWI-FM 92.3
Twitter: @JamesCrepea, @MGMsports, @bzimanek
Hashtag: #WarEagle, #Auburn