AUBURN — Auburn is looking for its first conference win of the season on Saturday as the Tigers take on the No. 19 Missouri Tigers in Columbia, Mo.
Auburn leads the series 3-1 with its last win coming in Jordan-Hare Stadium in 2022.
Here are four things to look for in Saturday’s game:
Can Auburn hold the Missouri offense in check?
The black and gold Tigers have no shortage of weapons on the offensive side of the ball, featuring a prolific passing attack led by quarterback Brady Cook. Cook’s top targets this season, Theo Wease, Jr. and Luther Burden, have combined for 805 yards receiving.
Hugh Freeze mentioned this week that Saturday will be the biggest test thus far for a young Auburn secondary and that containing Missouri’s explosive offense will be a tough task. DJ Durkin will need to dial up some pressure and keep Cook uncomfortable in the pocket for a higher chance of success on Saturday.
Will Auburn look any different following the bye week?
The hot topic for Freeze during the bye week was consistency in execution from both players and coaches. Auburn struggled throughout the first half of the season on critical downs, both offensively and defensively, and found too many plays that should have been made at the end of games.
Simply put, if Auburn wants to finish the second half of the season on a high note, it needs to see more consistent play in all three phases of the game, and that starts on Saturday.
Will Jarquez Hunter be more involved?
Jarquez Hunter comes into the game on Saturday with 528 yards on 78 carries, leading the Tigers in every rushing statistic. However, Hunter is averaging just 13 carries a game thus far, and it has been asked where his involvement has been as one of the bright spots of the Tigers’ offense.
Against Georgia, Hunter went into the fourth quarter with 91 yards and finished the game with 91 yards after just two carries in the quarter. Freeze mentioned this week that Hunter needs to be more involved in the offense, and if he is, it should bode well for Auburn.
Auburn pass offense vs. Missouri pass defense
Missouri’s defense has been dominant this season against lesser competition, recording two shutouts thus far and giving up just three points in its win over UMass last week. They rank 12th in total defense, allowing just 270.8 yards per game.
With an aggressive style of play, led by defensive coordinator Corey Batoon, Missouri’s defense gives up just 154.5 yards per game through the air - good for seventh in the country. Auburn comes into the game averaging 279 yards through the air, in large part to the emergence of KeAndre Lambert-Smith. Lambert Smith leads the Tigers in receiving with 510 yards on 24 catches and is someone the Tigers need to get involved in this game.
If Payton Thorne can develop an early connection with Lambert-Smith, mixed in with the play of Hunter and Damari Alston, the Tigers should feel good about their chances down the stretch on Saturday.
Kickoff is set for 11 a.m. CT and will be televised on ESPN.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email logan.fowler@1819News.com.
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