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Auburn Tigers

SEC Kickoff: Everything you need to know about Samford at Auburn

Jordan Cox

By Jordan Cox

Published:

Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday night’s showdown between Samford and No. 14 Auburn.

When: Today
Where: Auburn, Ala.
Game Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPNU
Current Line: Auburn (-38.5)

Game Buzz: FCS foe Samford — from just up the road in Birmingham — makes the two-hour trip down to the Plains to face a reeling Auburn team looking to end a two game skid. Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn stressed the importance of his team playing well Saturday night, while the Bulldogs look to end its season with a historic upset.

SATURDAY DOWN SOUTH PREVIEWS

NO. 14 AUBURN TIGERS

Players to watch:

  • QB Nick Marshall
  • RB Cameron Artis-Payne
  • WR Sammie Coates
  • WR Ricardo Louis
  • CB Jonathan Jones
  • LB Cassanova McKinzy
  • S Jermaine Whitehead

Keys for Auburn: 

  • Don’t look ahead. There’s a certain rivalry game that the Tigers may be tempted to look ahead to, but Samford is no pushover. The Bulldogs enter with a 7-3 record playing in arguably the best conference in the FCS. Auburn wasn’t ready to play in Athens last week, the Tigers need to be ready to play on Saturday night.
  • Focus on improvement. There are plenty of areas in which Auburn needs to improve, and Saturday night’s contest provides a good opportunity for the Tigers to get better. Get off to a fast start on offense, and establish a physicality defensively.
  • Get reserves time: Depth has been a strength of this Auburn team throughout most of the season, and this game provides a chance for reserves to get some significant playing time. Reps for backups and rest for starters will benefit the Tigers.

Auburn’s glaring weakness: The defense. Samford boasts some playmakers on offense, and with how badly the Tigers’ defense has struggled during the past month and a half, the Bulldogs have to feel confident in their ability to move the ball.

Most interesting part of the game: It’s Senior Day against a lesser talented team, and Auburn’s coming off two consecutive losses. How excited to play this game is Auburn? Malzahn’s team desperately needs a good performance.

Team buzz: Auburn’s goals of defending its SEC title and getting back to the national championship are out of reach, but this team — specifically this senior class — is out to prove this late-season collapse doesn’t resemble 2012. Look for the Tigers to put forth two strong efforts to close the regular season.

SAMFORD BULLDOGS

Players To Watch:

  • QB Michael Eubank
  • RB Denzel Williams
  • WR Karel Hamilton
  • S Jaquiski Tartt
  • LB Justin Cooper
  • DL Roosevelt Donaldson
  • DB Josh Kimberlin

Keys For Samford:

  • Throw the kitchen sink. Last time the Bulldogs visited Jordan-Hare Stadium, Samford amassed more than 300 yards of total offense and put up 16 points, keeping the game close midway through the second half. Expect the Bulldogs to throw all kinds of wrinkles and tricks at Auburn.
  • Limit mistakes. Turnovers and penalties will not help Samford in this ballgame. Pat Sullivan’s team can’t afford to give the Tigers extra possessions or yards. Samford needs to play disciplined and clean in order to have a chance to win.
  • Attack Auburn’s weaknesses. With the talent Samford boasts on offense, and with the Tigers’ recent defensive play, the Bulldogs certainly have the capability to move the football. Offensive coordinator Travis Trickett needs to attack the Tigers’ vulnerabilities early and often.

Samford’s glaring weakness: Rush defense. The Bulldogs are allowing 171.0 yards per game on the ground, and face one of the top rushing attacks in college football. Expect Auburn to rely heavily on the run.

Most interesting part of the game: Can the Bulldogs hang around and keep it close late? If Samford can be competitive deep into the second half and force Auburn to keep its first team in the game, that could favor the Sullivan’s team late.

Team buzz: This is the season finale for Samford, who likely won’t make a second straight appearance in the FCS playoffs. Sullivan became the program’s all-time winningest coach this season. The Heisman Trophy winner and former Auburn quarterback will have his team prepared.

Jordan Cox

After living in Birmingham, Ala., Jordan left the ground zero of SEC Nation to head south to Florida to tell the unique stories of the renowned tradition of SEC football. In his free time, his mission is to find the best locales around.

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