Auburn coach Gus Malzahn understands the Tigers have a challenge this week against No. 5 Texas A&M.

The Tigers have won 3 straight against the Aggies, who haven’t won on The Plains since 2016.

“They got a lot of guys have been playing a whole lot of football… the same guys you see they’re more confident and more experienced,” Malzahn said Wednesday on the SEC coaches media teleconference. “They’re disruptive on defense. Offensively they got two other guys. Of course it starts with their quarterback, (Kellen Mond) he’s been playing a whole lot of football and you look at the stats 16 touchdowns and two interceptions and he protects football, so you know I think they’re a pretty complete team.”

Malzahn said KJ Britt has not been cleared and won’t be available this week.

With injuries on the offensive line, Brendan Coffey has filled in at right tackle. Malzahn praised his attitude and approach, and said he’s still learning.

“His attitude makes up for that,” Malzahn said. “He did a solid job when he came in last week and I expect him to get better and better.”

The Tigers have been hit hard by injuries lately, especially on the offensive line. Malzahn said earlier in the week that right tackle Brodarious Hamm (left knee), tailbacks Tank Bigsby (hip) and D.J. Williams (ankle) and cornerback Jaylin Simpson are questionable against the Aggies, while left tackle Alec Jackson had surgery on his right hand and will miss the game.