Published October 5, 2010 - 6:00am
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The Auburn Tigers (5-0) travel to Lexington to take on the Kentucky Wildcats (3-2) this weekend. Last week, Auburn won an easy contest against Louisiana-Monroe, and Kentucky lost their second straight against an in-conference opponent in Ole Miss. Here are a few things you need to know about Auburn vs Kentucky:
1. Auburn is leading the SEC in rushing offense and total offense. The Auburn Tigers will attack you both on the ground and through the air. The Tigers are averaging 269 yards on the ground per game and 475 total yards of offense per game. You stop one aspect of their game and they throw for a 94-yard touchdown to Darvin Adams or Emory Blake. You play a passing cover scheme and the Tigers attack you on the ground with Cameron Newton, Michael Dyer and Onterior McCalebb. Pick your poison with Gus Malzahn.
2. Cameron Newton is the best quarterback in the conference. Now, for you Arkansas fans, this one is a tough one to stomach. Coming into this year, Ryan Mallett was figured to be the best quarterback in the conference – and he is passing the football – but overall, Newton is better. The Newton-led offense will remind you a lot of the 2007 Florida Gators – a year in which Tim Tebow dominated college football that led to the eventual and elusive Heisman Trophy. Newton has a ways to go, but he already has 12 passing touchdowns and 5 rushing touchdowns. I’m not saying he’s the next Tim Tebow or that he will win the Heisman, but he is on the path to stardom real quick. If Newton can keep his team undefeated rolling into the Iron Bowl week, he will be set for the national stage.
3. Kentucky cannot turn over the football. Two weeks ago entering the Florida game, Kentucky had not committed a turnover, and they were 3-0. However, they committed three turnovers in the Florida game and committed three last week against Ole Miss, and the Rebels scored every time they turned the football over via fumble or interception. Against good teams like Auburn, you will get beat again if you turn the football over. Quarterback Mike Hartline will have to take care of the football this week.
4. Nick Fairley leads Auburn on defense. Fairley is a defensive tackle who leads the SEC in sacks and tackles-for-loss. Fairley looks to stop Kentucky running back Derrick Locke from hitting his usual 100-yard mark in rushing. Fairley is a good looking football player who looks to have a bright future ahead of him.
5. Kentucky has to get the football to their three main play makers: Randall Cobb, Derrick Locke and Chris Matthews. Randall Cobb is the all-world player for Kentucky. He has great speed, great hands and can arguably throw the football better than the starting quarterback. Derrick Locke has been great for the Wildcats this year. He will need to hit the 100-yard plus mark and more for Kentucky to be a factor in this one. Chris Matthews has emerged as a go-to receiver opposite Randall Cobb. Hartline: throw the ball to Matthews in the air and let him make a play.
Camputer Newton as the best QB in the SEC? I don’t know about that statement…
WAR EAGLE!!!! If our Offense & Defense both show up to play again this week…..then Kentucky should be no problem at all for Auburn! The Defense has really stepped up (especially during the Clemson & South Carolina games) and showed what they are made of. When the crowd gets loud, it seems like Auburn’s Defense gets better. The Offense has improved quite a bit…..and they are holding their own. But, I don’t want to see a “one man show” with it only being Cam, Macaleb, or Dyer…..yes, the running game is important…..but the passing game is as well. And, you’ve not only got Adams to pass to……pass to Zachery more!!! TZ has shown that he makes magic when they get the ball to him. We have more than one receiver with Adams………..get the danged ball to Terrell Zachery!!!!!!
Please enlighten me…who is better? Who takes their team to a different level? Who is on track to be the first 2,000 yard passer and 1,000 rusher in SEC history?
Camputer Newton…that’s cute and funny too since that’s the only thing that you can target about the guy. Go drink your haterade b—-.
Camputer Newton? And you’re a representative of this site? First and last comment here!!!
Johnny Smith & Matt,
I’ll give you some ammunition to fire back at me:
I’m a Kentucky fan first and foremost. So I leave my unbiased journalistic approach behind this week against Auburn. I wish you the best and I imagine you’ll have plenty of cracks on me after the game, so I figured I would get mine in beforehand.
We like for the comments section to have a healthy banter, so I appreciate you chiming in, even if you are going to get your first loss of the season in Lexington.
Im not saying he is the best QB in sec,,,,,, But i will say this newton is as good as any other QB in the sec.
This Saturdays game will be interesting. I figure Randall Cobb will get his carries and touches. I do feel that Auburn will win. I do enjoy the back and forth banter. Kentucky will get revenge this basketball season.
WAR EAGLE!
Oh and the Camputer Newton crack was a low blow. I have read the case and know that his actions may have not been the most mature; however he learned from his mistakes and his a person of outstanding character. “He who is without sin, cast the first stone”. I am sure your life isn’t squeaky clean either.
Go CAM! GO AUBURN! WAR EAGLE!
Geez, these Auburners are a touchy bunch, aren’t they?