Gus Malzahn provides latest injury updates for Auburn heading into Mississippi State game

Auburn hopes to be as healthy as possible for its first true road game of the season.

The No. 8 Tigers (4-1, 1-1 SEC) are rounding into shape as they brace for a huge SEC West showdown at Mississippi State (3-2, 0-2) at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. During his appearance on Wednesday’s SEC Coaches Teleconference, Auburn coach Gus Malzahn gave injury updates for three key players and discussed playing in a harsh road environment.

Here’s what he had to say:

On the status of JaTarvious “Boobie” Whitlow, Jack Driscoll and Prince Tega Wanogho:

• They all three practiced but weren’t full speed.

How do you get the run game going?

• All of the above, really. Putting it all together, that’s probably the best way to put it.

On the cowbells of Mississippi State and the new rule being they have to stop when the center puts his hand on the ball:

• Yeah, he’ll have his hand on that ball pretty quick.

On the Auburn-Mississippi State games being physical, have you noticed that?

• Every time we play them, it’s physical. They are a physical unit. Usually the most physical team wins it, should be a good one.

On the development of Noah Igbinoghene:

• Every week he’s more comfortable. Teams went after him at first, but he understands things better and his confidence is growing.

On Austin Troxell:

• He is improving every practice. One thing that is important is he does what he’s coached to do. He could be in the mix, in some kind of a role. Our confidence is getting higher and higher in him.

How much does Boobie Whitlow help the running game go?

• He gets more comfortable each time he’s out there. … He’s a bit more patient in the zone scheme. I think he has a chance to improve each week, also.

On his defense stopping the run:

• They are a veteran group, they understand scheme. … Facing a team with a running quarterback will stress us, but they have done a good job of disrupting running schemes this season.

Marcus Rodrigue

Marcus covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.