I can’t believe I’m writing this, but I’m actually worried about the game Saturday.
When the season started (when Auburn was a national title contender,) I didn’t think twice about Tennessee-Martin. I remember making fun of its mascot: the Skyhawks. What the heck is that?
But now that the wheels have fallen off at Auburn, one can’t help but wonder if UTM has a shot.
After some research, I found a few things Tiger fans should think about heading into the contest.
UTM averages 40.7 points per game, while Auburn stands at a pitiful 17.6, which ranks 113th out of 120 FBS teams in the nation.
While the most points Auburn has put up all year was 34 in its first game, UTM has scored more than 60 twice — a 63-38 win over Murray State, and an 87-21 win over Concordia. 87.
The Tigers stumble into this homecoming game with a four-game losing streak, and UTM has reeled off three wins in a row and is well rested after a bye last weekend.
UTM plays Division I-AA football in the Ohio Valley Conference and leads the conference at 7-2 overall and 5-1 in conference play.
In its last game, UTM receiver Roren Thomas’ 85-yard touchdown 53 seconds into the team’s 31-30 win over Jacksonville State made it onto SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays at No. 3 Oct. 24.
The game was broadcast by ESPNU and featured former LSU quarterback Ryan Perriloux, who competes for Jacksonville State. Perriloux, who is probably better than any Auburn quarterback, threw for two touchdowns and 261 yards in the losing effort.
And Skyhawk quarterback Cade Thompson outplayed Perriloux in the game, Thompson played for South Carolina in 2006 before transferring to UTM for more playing time.
I know it’s just a Division I-AA school, and it would be a huge upset even as Auburn stands at 4-5 on the year. But the way things are going, I don’t think it’s impossible.
One last thing I found while checking out UTM’s Web site, I noticed the players’ uniforms are exactly the same as Auburn’s. Same color shades, stripes and numbers — indistinguishable aside from the logo on the helmet.
Now, they do have orange jerseys, as well, but if they wear white against Auburn, it’s going to look like an A-Day game, which is exactly what Auburn needs.
The team has got to play a bad team to work out the kinks before facing its two biggest rivals. The coaches need to open up the playbook and basically scrimmage.
Auburn fans have been poking fun at Alabama’s homecoming loss to Louisiana-Monroe last year, but if the Tigers lose to UTM, they will quickly become the laughing stock of college football.
Wes Sinor is the assistant sports editor of The Auburn Plainsman. You can reach him at 844-9104.
