Here’s everything you need to know about the 2nd meeting between Auburn and Kansas State tonight on ESPN.

When: Today
Where: Manhattan, Kan.
Game Time: 7:30 p.m. EST
TV: ESPN
Current Line: Auburn (-6.5)

Game Buzz: It’s the return trip of a home-and-home series that began in 2007 when Josh Freeman and the Wildcats visited the Plains and suffered a 23-13 loss. This game has been generating talk since this summer when it was announced it would be the Thursday night ESPN game. Bill Snyder Family Stadium has been touted the toughest place to play in the Big 12, and K-State is expecting one of the largest crowds ever as the No. 5 ranked Tigers come calling.

Saturday Down South previews

Auburn Tigers

Players to watch: 

  • QB Nick Marshall
  • RB Cameron Artis-Payne
  • WR Sammie Coates
  • DT Montravius Adams
  • DT Gabe Wright
  • LB Cassanova McKinzy

Keys for Auburn:

  • Show composure in a tough road environment. The Tigers have yet to leave the confines of Jordan-Hare Stadium this year, but have a veteran presence on the team. Bill Snyder Family Stadium will be an unfamiliar environment for the Tigers. Look for some of the veteran players to take leadership on Thursday night in a hostile environment.
  • Contain Jake Waters. Coming off a career performance in the emotional win over Iowa State in Ames, Waters and the Wildcats have a lot of confidence returning home. Waters is the best quarterback the Tigers have faced so far and presents challenges for a defense that has struggled against running quarterbacks.
  • Get points. Auburn is 11-for-11 in the red zone, with touchdowns coming on ten of those 11 possessions. If it gets inside the K-State 20, Auburn must come away with points every chance it gets. Field goals are not bad.

Tigers’ glaring weakness to watch: Secondary. The Tigers have experienced some breakdowns in the defensive backfield over the first couple weeks of the season. They lost their most experienced player back there on Wednesday when it was announced that senior safety Jermaine Whitehead did not make the trip to Manhattan and will not play.

Most interesting part of the game: These offenses like to do some of the same things, so it will be interesting to watch how both coaches have game planned for each defense. Both quarterbacks are threats to run, which could cause headaches for both defenses Thursday night.

Team Buzz: Despite its No. 5 ranking, Auburn has flown under-the-radar through the first three weeks of the season. The Tigers have yet to have its name mentioned in the conversation for the College Football Playoff, but with a win in a tough road environment on a Thursday night national stage, the Tigers could jump into the conversation.