Pick’em: Week 6

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

Jay G. Tate, frosted on top and sturdy on bottom.

Auburn 21-10

The Tigers are not awesome, but they'll find a way to score a few points here and there. Could it be the most conservative game plan in Malzahn's history? Possibly. I've been highly critical of Malzahn's admission that this team's path to victory probably relies on finding ways to keep his offense off the field, but that plan may actually work in this case. Kevin Steele and his defense pose a very serious problem for Joe Moorhead and Nick Fitzgerald.

Hunter Adams, your momma’s favorite football coach.

Auburn 16-13

KNOW THE ENEMY

Jeffrey Lee, defending champ. Can skin a buck and run a trotline.

Auburn 17-13

Auburn's defense wins another one for the Tigers.

Bill Cameron, Auburn radio institution and still groovin’ to the 70’s.

Auburn 23-17

The Bulldogs will be in desperation mode, and the cowbells will be deafening. However, if MSU can’t get their running game going and has to rely on Nick Fitzgerald’s passing Auburn should get out with what could be ugly but a win if they don’t beat themselves.

WHAT THEY THINK (continued)

Dan Peck, the other guy from The Drive and world’s biggest feet.

Mississippi State 14-13

As Joe Namath would say, Auburn's offensive line is strug-guh-ling. Now they go on the road to face a desperate team with two projected first round picks on the DL. I haven't picked against Auburn in a single game since Jarrett Stidham became the quarterback ... until now.

Bryan Matthews, obsessive walker and human-stork hybrid.

Mississippi State 14-10

When I’m expecting a close game, which I am this week, I usually just pick Auburn. It’s easier that way. But I just can’t, not with the way this offense is performing, the injuries to key players last week and the noise and distractions they'll encounter on the road this week. Turnovers will be the key, and Auburn has committed seven so far this season compared to just three for MSU.

Ben Wolk, Mr. Man Bun and millennial representative.

Auburn 24-10

I don't expect either team to be offensive juggernauts this weekend. That much should be obvious this far into the season. But I also think the doom-and-gloom narrative around Auburn's offense, and to some extent Mississippi State's, has probably moved a little too far toward exaggeration. The Tigers offense gets a little momentum on the road, and their defense controls the game as it has all season.