Amid 21-day break, Gus Malzahn says Auburn ‘will be ready’ after getting back in routine
By Jake Rill
Published:
It’s been an unorthodox stretch for Auburn of late, one in which it hasn’t gotten an opportunity to take on any competition.
Because of a bye week and a postponement, the Tigers haven’t played a game since Oct. 31. That means it will have been 21 days between games when they take the field at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday for their matchup against Tennessee. And as Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn noted during his Tuesday press conference, the days leading up to the contest will be crucial.
“I think this week is big, as far as just getting in that game-week routine and knowing for sure you’re playing and who you’re playing and all that. I think more than anything, it’s routine, flipping the switch and getting your mind and body ready to go,” Malzahn told the media. “I really have no doubt in my mind that our guys will be ready. We just need to have a good week of practice.”
Auburn was supposed to play at Mississippi State this past Saturday, but that game was postponed due to numerous COVID-19 cases within both programs. Now, that matchup won’t take place until the regular-season finale on Dec. 12, and the Tigers will return to action against the Vols.
“No doubt, they are ready to get back and play,” Malzahn said. “It’s been really strange from the standpoint of we dealt with the COVID, didn’t practice for a couple days, and finding out we weren’t playing. The best part is we are back in the game-week routine and we are playing a team that is a talented team; they’ve come in here in the past and gave us a tough loss two years ago for the older guys who were a part of that. We are ready to get back on the field at home, playing at night and playing against a team we’re looking forward to playing.”
When Auburn last played against LSU on Oct. 31, its defensive line had a strong showing in a 48-11 win. The Tigers will be hoping for a similar performance against the Vols, who have a solid offensive line and will be looking to hold off Auburn’s defensive front.
“They have some experience, too, up front, so we’ll have to continue to do that. You can turn the film on and that they’re very talented up front,” Malzahn said. “You know, that’s just a part of building each week and the uniqueness of not playing for 21 days [during] the regular season. It’s a different deal, but like I said, practice-wise you’ve got to continue to stay sharp and keep building upon your last game.”
Auburn and Tennessee are set to kick off on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
