No.8 Auburn is sitting at 2-0 with wins over Oregon and Tulane. The Tigers have a chance to improve to 3-0 for the first time since 2014 when they host Kent State this Saturday.
This will be the first meeting between the two schools in program history. Auburn will look to get everything sorted out on offense this week against Kent State before heading to College Station to open up conference play next week.
Players to watch:
Auburn's receiving corps:
Seth Williams has been ruled out for Saturday's game against Kent State after injuring his shoulder the week prior against Tulane. Will Hastings and Eli Stove have stepped up and are leading the receivers in yards and receptions respectively.
Still the absence of Williams is evident on the field as following the injury against Tulane; Auburn had 33 passing yards in the second half.
According to head coach Gus Malzahn on Tuesday, Williams' status after the Kent State game is "a day-to-day deal.”
It will be a whole team effort for the receivers this week as they look to work out the offensive issues and help Bo Nix before SEC play begins.
Bo Nix:
The good news is that Auburn knows that Nix can throw it, he's attempted 68 passes through two games. Now the Tigers need Nix to find some offensive consistency.
Through his two games, Bo Nix is 32-of-68 (47.05%) with three touchdowns and two interceptions. With a week before SEC play begins, Nix is going to need to find his offensive footing against Kent State.
After Tulane, Nix said that while he had some good plays, he needs to be "more consistent."
Arryn Siposs:
Siposs impressed the coaches last season after winning the starting job. This season he is averaging 44.4 yards a punt, but the punts have produced some big return yardage.
Auburn is currently ranked as the worst team in the FBS on punt return yards allowed. The Tigers have had five punts returned for a total of 179 yards. They give up an average of 35.80 yards per returned punt.
Key's to the game:
-Auburn needs to establish the run early on.
The Tigers rushed for 20 yards in the first half against Tulane and 70 yards against Oregon. Both games saw Auburn's offense struggle in the first half as a result.
Establishing the run early on helps the offense in all aspects and with Bo Nix's continued development.
-Auburn's defense needs to keep doing what they are doing.
Auburn's defense had one lousy quarter against Oregon and manhandled Tulane.
So for that reason, the defense needs to do what they did against Tulane and for three quarters against Oregon.
Important Numbers:
44.4% - The percent of red-zone touchdowns that Auburn has scored this season. Auburn has been in the red-zone nine times through two games.
211.5 - The number of average rushing yards that Kent State is allowing through two games.
20.7% - The percentage of third down conversions given up by Auburn's defense. So far opposing offenses are 6-for-29 against Auburn on third down.
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