AUBURN | Each week the AuburnSports.com staff and friends make their predictions on Auburn and top college football games from around the country.
WHAT THEY THINK
Bill Cameron (8-2, 23-7), Auburn radio institution and still groovin’ to the 70’s.
Texas A&M 27-20
This is an absolute must-win game for Jimbo Fisher & the Aggies, with their big money folks prepared to buy out Jimbo’s contract if the season goes south. Meanwhile, Auburn limps into College Station with quite a few key players either out or questionable. This will be a huge test for the Tigers’ lines, with the offense needing to stay out of third and long, while the defense must apply pressure to Connor Weigman, who is averaging 300 yards passing per game. There also has to be a concern about punt returns, and special teams could be the difference in a tight game.
Henry Patton (7-3, 23-7), likes giant gas stations with beaver mascots.
Texas A&M 31-20
Playing on the road against a team that is more talented than you is a steep task, and it’s one Auburn is facing this weekend. It’s not going to be some blowout, but now without Keionte Scott and Nehemiah Pritchett *maybe* being healthy (and likely rusty if he plays), it’s hard to see Auburn being able to consistently cover guys like Evan Stewart, Noah Thomas, Ainias Smith, etc. Auburn is going to have to get to Conner Weigman, and A&M has shown questionable pass blocking ability to start the season. Can Auburn consistently rush an SEC team? We’ll find out Saturday. Offensively, Auburn is facing an A&M defense that let Miami throw all over the field, but are the Tigers capable of creating the same results? I have my doubts based on what we’ve seen to open the season. This is also a game A&M *has* to win or Jimbo might be cooked. I don’t see Auburn having the horses to steal this one.
Caleb Jones (7-3, 22-8), a river rat in a kayak
Texas A&M 20-16
I've thought about this game for a while, but I don't trust Auburn to pull off a road victory in its toughest test yet, so I'm leaning toward A&M. Is Auburn capable of winning? Certainly. It's going to depend on Payton Thorne's decision-making, the run game's ability to get going and how a banged-up defense can respond to Texas A&M's passing game. Once again, Auburn can win this game, but I can't pick the Tigers in confidence. Give me Texas A&M in a close one.
Bryan Matthews (6-4, 22-8), I’d like a milkshake straw with that.
Auburn 16-13
I don't feel great about this pick but after I said Auburn is going to emasculate Texas A&M on the Rundown a few weeks ago, I gotta stick with it. I don't think it's a crazy pick. In my opinion, it's just a matter of time before the Jimbo Fisher era at TAMU implodes and AU could deliver the death blow this weekend. There's no coming back if TAMU loses to AU at home Saturday. The key for AU is to control the ball on offense and not turn it over (Hello, Mr. Thorne), and for the defense to limit big plays.
WHAT THEY THINK (continued)
Brian Stultz (7-3, 21-9), a lover of Murder, She Wrote and rom-coms.
Texas A&M 27-23
I'm not sure what to expect of this game, and I usually have a good feel on if Auburn will win or not. We still don't know the offensive identity of the Tigers, but they must find it out with SEC play beginning. I think Payton Thorne will take advantage of a weak A&M secondary, but Auburn comes up just short as Conner Weigman and his plethora of receivers are too much for this injured defense to handle.
Jay G. Tate (7-3, 20-10), always served with frosty tips.
Auburn 24-21
The Tigers have seen some of their tastiest wins occur in College Station. In fact, road teams in general have been pretty successful within this series of late. Both of these teams still are trying to find themselves, so to speak, but I trust Hugh Freeze and his staff more than I trust Jimbo Fisher and his staff. There's a lot of pressure on A&M to be great. Does Auburn feel that kind of pressure? Probably internal pressure, sure, but that's good pressure. It's like good cholesterol. These Aggies are teetering on the edge of the abyss. One more loss and Aggieland will actually freak out. Do I want that to happen? Yes, I do. Am I projecting a bit with this prediction? Yes. Yes, I am. I don't care. Payton Thorne, this is your time. You wanted it. You got it. Deliver.
Hunter Adams (5-5, 20-10), your momma’s favorite football coach.
Auburn 23-20
Auburn wins a close one capitalizing on the early kickoff which will dampen the energy of the 12th man, on top of the Aggies not getting winning QB play at the moment.
Dan Peck (6-4, 19-11), the other guy from The Drive and film noir aficionado.
Auburn 27-24
Thorne looked decisive, comfortable, even Stidham-esque. A&M has the talent to run Auburn out of town, but Jimbo has multiple losses at A&M against teams that were overmatched on paper. The longer it remains a one-possession game, the more uneasy things will be for the A&M side. It comes down to the wire and Auburn steals it.
