Week 3: Texas A&M vs. Auburn Preview

Notes:
Since 2012, both teams have split the series winning two games each alternating each year with wins. Last season, Auburn won 26-10 in College Station and have won by an average of 10 points per game (other win in 2013 by a four point margin). Texas A&M won in 2012 and 2014 by an average of margin of victory of 22.5 points per game.
Texas A&M:
The Aggies rolled at home last week 67-0 over Prairie View. Texas A&M has been very balanced through two games and is averaging 240 rushing yards per game along with passing for 317 through the air.
Quarterback Trevor Knight has played within the system and has completed 54% of his passes for 583 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions. Knight’s mobility outside the pocket has taken the pressure off of the offensive line which has only allowed two sacks on the year.
Running back Keith Ford has been a great addition to the offense and look for him to have a huge impact this coming weekend. Ford leads the team with 127 rushing averaging 5.7 yards per carry with three touchdowns. Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone utilized him in the passing attack last week as he caught a 40 yard pass and look for Texas A&M to start working him into the passing game this week which will put a lot of pressure on opposing defenses.
Wide receivers Christian Kirk, Josh Reynolds, Ricky Seals-Jones and Speedy Noil give Knight many options in his reads and progressions which can challenge the Auburn secondary this coming weekend. All four players have combined for 29 receptions for 410 yards with 4 touchdowns.
Defensively, the Aggies have been very good in run support allowing 78 rushing yards per game and will be challenged the Auburn offense this Saturday.
Defensive ends Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall will be critical to force runners inside and not lose the perimeter against Auburn’s running game.
Through two games, Texas A&M has allowed 258 passing yards per game and has recorded 7 sacks on the year. Armani Watts will be the key to the secondary. Watts is a ball hawk that is not afraid to come up in run support and punish opposing ball carriers.
Texas A&M will need to force turnovers on the road against Auburn quarterback Sean White. On the season, the team is even in turnover margin.
 
Auburn:
Auburn looked very good offensively last week in their 51-14 win over Arkansas State. The Tigers have rushed for 274 yards on the ground and have passed for 209 yards through the air through two games.
Quarterback Sean White has completed 61% of his passes for 384 yards with 3 touchdowns and one interception. While White has played well he will be challenged by the jumping castle Texas A&M secondary and defensive coordinator John Chavis in this game. Chavis loves to blitz and the Aggies secondary to play man to man coverage will allow Chavis to take chances early on to force mistakes from White.
Auburn’s running game will be critical to take the pressure off of White and allow him to work off of play action. Last week against Arkansas State, Auburn rushed for 462 yards on the ground and will need to run for over 200 yards in this game to pick up the win. Running back Kerryon Johnson leads the team with 218 rushing yards averaging 5.3 yards per carry with 3 touchdowns. He has been able to find holes and his slashing style gives the Tigers a solid between the tackles runner that can move the chains.
Defensively, the Tigers have allowed 108 rushing yards per game and have allowed 254 passing yards through the first two games. The front seven must get pressure on Trevor Knight and force him into quick throws underneath coverage. The defense has recorded 4 sacks on the year with defensive end Carl Lawson recorded one sack in the first two games.
Auburn is -2 in turnover margin. Last season, the Tigers finished the year at +2, however, in key games the team failed to win the turnover battle consistently.