Pickem: Week 4

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AUBURN, Ala. | Each week the AuburnSports.com staff make their predictions on Auburn and top college football games from around the country.

WHAT THEY THINK:

Jay G. Tate: Auburn 27-20. Those Auburn Tigers looked like Glass Joe in "Punch Out!!" last week -- stumbling around without a lick of confidence just waiting for a blow to the chin. And that's exactly what happened. The change at quarterback -- goodbye Jeremy Johnson, hello Sean White -- will have a positive effect on this offense. I still don't think it can run the football very well, but White's ability to complete basic passes will make a big difference. Defense? I think it'll be 25% better, which will good enough to at least slow down Dak Prescott. It'll be a grind, but I forecast an energized Auburn team being up to the task.

Bryan Matthews: Auburn 25-23. It's hard to pick Auburn in this one coming off that beat down at LSU and Sean White starting his first career game at quarterback. But Auburn is a team with its back against the wall that has to come out fighting this week or face a potential losing season. If the players on this team have any character, and I believe they do, they will come out and play with intensity and toughness, and deliver the blows. This is a crucial game for Auburn and they need to play like there's no tomorrow.

Jeffrey Lee: Auburn 35-30. The Auburn team many expected to see this season will begin to take shape Saturday against State. The reason for my confidence? A change has been made. Isn't that the only thing that separates the sane from the downright looney? Not making one? Auburn did, finally, and it will pay off. A new quarterback will bring new energy, which will result in Auburn's first SEC win of the season.

Allie Davison: Mississippi State 34-28. Saturday begins and ends with Sean White, and that's a tall order for a redshirt freshman. I think Auburn will rally around White in the first half, but ultimately the defense just can't hold on against Dak Prescott and De'Runnya Wilson. It's hard to imagine Gus Malzahn throwing a complicated playbook at an offense that is struggling with fundamentals, so I think he keeps it simple. The Auburn coaches said they would re-evaluate every position on the field so I'll be curious to see how the tailback position plays out. I think Roc Thomas will continue to be the first name called, but Kerryon Johnson is right there as a legitimate threat to give the team a boost. Will Muschamp has a lot on his plate trying to decide who to replace Carl Lawson with (and that's no easy task with the depth chart). However, Byron Cowart is that guy, and he needs to step up and play big - and seize the opportunity to play as a true freshman just like Lawson did three seasons ago. Auburn fans should prepare for the worst, but expect to see the team fight.