Homecoming weekend might not be particularly festive at Auburn this year, but the Tigers (2-2) can snap their current losing streak if they can control the ground game against San Jose State.

The Spartans will come into the game with plenty of confidence that they can run the ball against the Tigers’ No. 109-ranked rush defense. SJSU RB Tyler Ervin is coming off a 42-carry, 300-yard performance against Fresno State in a 49-23 victory. Ervin will be looking to make a bigger impact than he did last year against Auburn (3 rushes, 10 yards).

This season, Auburn’s defense has not been able to contain run-heavy attacks, allowing 810 rushing yards in the first three games. That number drastically improved in the fourth game against Mississippi State, which only ran for 56 yards on 21 carries.

MSU’s low rushing numbers, however, are less about AU’s run defense and more a reflection of its offensive strategy. Bulldogs coach Dan Mullen called pass plays nearly twice as often as run plays (41 passes to 21 rushes). The most encouraging stat of the game for Auburn is that the longest run allowed was only 14 yards.

When Auburn has the ball, it should probably attempt to do the same thing SJSU will try: establish the run. The Spartans run defense is currently ranked No. 117, allowing 236.3 yards per game. RB Peyton Barber, who ran for 137 yards on 27 carries against Mississippi State, has been the team’s top ball carrier this season.

A steady dose of Barber and the rest of the running backs should help take the pressure off QB Sean White who made his first start against MSU. White’s stat line didn’t look all that bad (20-for-28, 188 yards, interception; 11 carries, 29 yards) but he acknowledged he made some costly mistakes.

The easiest way for Auburn to make this year’s homecoming a success is to put a big number on the scoreboard. Last week, the Tigers did not score a touchdown for the first time under Gus Malzahn as an offensive coordinator or head coach. Even when the defense has struggled, Auburn has almost always been stable on offense.

For Malzahn and defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, improvement must be shown on both sides of the ball in Week 5. This Saturday’s game with San Jose State should be an opportunity to right the ship and gain some momentum before heading into a stretch of five consecutive conference games.

SAN JOSE STATE SPARTANS CLOSER LOOK

Top returning player, offense/special teams: Tyler Ervin, Sr., RB/KR/PR – Between carries, catches and returns, Ervin gets plenty of touches on Saturdays. He was the Spartans’ top rusher last season (158 carries, 888 yards, four touchdowns) and had one touchdown on a punt return.

Top returning player, defense: Cleveland Wallace III, Jr., CB – The strength of the Spartans defense is in the secondary, where Wallace made 14 pass breakups last season at cornerback.