AUBURN—The Auburn Tigers are set to take on the Alabama A&M Bulldogs in Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday, kicking off head coach Hugh Freeze’s second season on the Plains.
Here are the biggest things to watch for in the Tigers’ first matchup of the 2024 season.
Who trots out at left tackle?
All signs point towards redshirt freshman Tyler Johnson getting the nod at left tackle for the Tigers on Saturday. After the Mississippi State transfer Percy Lewis was slotted into that role for spring practice and most of the fall, Hugh Freeze and offensive line coach Jake Thornton have done some shuffling along the left side of the offensive line, allowing for Johnson to get some quality time.
Freeze raved about the redshirt freshman on the SEC coaches' teleconference on Wednesday, saying that Johnson is just “really talented.”
Still expect to see a couple of guys getting reps early on at that spot as Freeze noted earlier this week that it may take a couple of games to solidify a starting five.
A talented group of wide receivers
Perhaps the most improved position group on the roster, all the rave has been about the Tigers’ new-look receiver room.
Bringing in a veteran presence in Penn State transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis to pair with newcomers Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, Bryce Cain and Malcolm Simmons, the Tigers have a plethora of options out wide for guys to make plays.
How much different does Payton Thorne look in this offense?
Freeze and offensive coordinator Derrick Nix have reiterated their feelings on Thorne’s improvements throughout the offseason.
“I’ve always believed in him and believe in him even more today than I did in January because of what I have seen, what I witnessed, and what I hear in meeting rooms and film rooms. I think he's excited to prove that to a lot of people also,” Freeze said.
With plenty of options out wide and a loaded running back room, Thorne now has the guys around him to produce better numbers.
Can Towns McGough handle the kicking duties?
With incumbent starter Alex McPherson unable to play on Saturday, walk-on freshman Towns McGough will handle the kicking duties.
McGough was a standout in the spring as he exited with special teams A-Day MVP honors.
Special teams coordinator Tanner Burns believes he will be just fine.
“To get a guy like that as your number two kicker - and you feel comfortable about him being the number one guy - I feel like we’ve got the best two kickers in the country,” Burns said.
Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. CT and will be streamed on ESPN+/SECN+.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email logan.fowler@1819News.com.
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