Auburn this week is motivated by the loss to Tennessee two years ago, coach Gus Malzahn said Wednesday on the SEC coaches media teleconference.

“Our guys are very excited to play,” Malzahn said.

That said, Malzahn hasn’t discounted Tennessee because the Vols have slipped to a 2-4 record.

“I think like I said, they have a lot of guys back from a team that went on a long win streak,” Malzahn said. “We have to be prepared for their best after taking a week off.”

Given Auburn’s layoff from not playing last week, Malzahn said, “the fact that we are further along in the season, having played 6 games, I hope that helps.”

One of the improvements for Auburn this season has been the progression of the running game, and Malzahn explained why.

“I think it’s our offensive line coming together, we played music chairs during camp… just settling in and Chad Morris getting a feel for the strengths of the team, too,” Malzahn said.

Malzahn also commented on a couple defensive backs, and said Jamien Sherwood practiced this week, but is not 100 percent. For defensive back Roger McCreary, Malzahn said, “it clicked about halfway through the year for him, ever year since then, he’s been playing with good confidence he’s a great practice player and one of our more consistent guys.”