Better Know An SEC Opponent: Auburn
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The School: Auburn University
Record: 4-5 (1-5 in the SEC)
Ranking: LOL no. Oh, actually SP+ has them as #33. That is … something? I normally like Bill C’s work, so maybe there is something there.
Mascot: Aubie the Tiger. He is awesome. Truly a fantastic mascot.
Location: Auburn, Alabama
Coach: Hugh Freeze errr DJ Durkin? After a 10-3 loss to Kentucky, Freeze was relieved of his duties, and DC DJ Durkin was elevated to interim HC. Durkin has been a HC previously. He was in charge at Maryland from 2016-2018 when … oh, well it is weird to face 2 separate coaches who have done that in one year.
Conference: The S-E-C. A real member since the start.
All-time vs. Vanderbilt: 22-22-1
In the Last 10 Years vs. Vanderbilt: 2-1
In the Last 5 Years vs. Vanderbilt: 1-1
The Last Time We Saw These Guys: Auburn was coming off a win over Kentucky a year ago. The first quarter was a punt fest. There were 5 punts with no drive lasting more than 6 plays, though Auburn did move the ball 49 yards on that drive. Then Vanderbilt went 81 yards in 6 plays to get into the end zone. That drive was driven by a 31-yard pass to Junior Sherrill, a 16-yard pass to Eli Stowers, and a 31-yard pass to AJ Newberry for the score.
Auburn essentially stopped themselves on 4th down on their ensuing drive thanks to a moronic 4th down play call. Vanderbilt punted then Auburn was able to tie the game with an 11-play 80-yard TD drive. Consecutive completions of 21 and 30 yards got Auburn into the end zone. Three more punts and a token end of half drive got the game to the break even at 7-7.
The Commodores started with the ball and punted then Auburn missed a FG before each team punted. The last punt was by Auburn, and Martel Hight ripped off a 39-yard return to let Brock Taylor kick a 31-yard FG after only 8 yards were gained by the offense.
The Tigers punted again before a typical Commodore drive showed up as Pavia and Sedrick Alexander went to work. The drive did stall at the Auburn 8. Taylor made a FG, but a personal foul would give the Commodores another set of downs that they would not waste.
Auburn missed another FG before forcing a punt then fumbling. Pavia got to kneel out his 3rd straight year with a win over Hugh Freeze.
Is Vandy Favored?: Yes! The current spread at time of writing is 6.5 points.
Most Potent Offensive Threat: Cam Coleman. Coleman is a legitimately elite WR. He is very good on jump balls but also has the speed to beat most CBs deep if they try to stay tight for underneath routes. The problem is getting him the ball. Coleman only has 37 catches for 474 yards on the season. He does make up 24% of Auburn’s receptions and 32% of the receiving yards.
Most Potent Defensive Threat: Xavier Atkins. Atkins does everything from his linebacker spot. He has more solo tackles (52) than the next most involved players has total tackles (49). Atkins also has the team lead in sacks at 7. For good measure, he has picked off 1 pass (returned for 73 yards), forced 2 fumbles, and recovered one of her own. Atkins is trouble wherever and whatever you do on the football field.
Matchup to Watch: Derrick Nix vs Steve Gregory. Auburn’s OC is now the sole playcaller according to interim HC DJ Durkin. With no more weird carousel of play callers, it will be interesting to see what game plan Nix implements and executes. Steve Gregory was slow to react to Texas’s game plan. With the unknown of every down Nix, it will be interesting to see how the job and offense change.
Interesting Fact: Auburn is the only school where John Heisman coached that has had a winner of the award named after him.
If Auburn wins, we: accept our fate of going to Memphis, Nashville, or Birmingham for the bowl game. Vanderbilt lost the first “UT” game, so they need to win out to have a chance at the CFP. There are no guarantees, but the possibility is still there and valid.
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