Both Texas A&M and Auburn enter Saturday’s match-up sitting at 6-2 with both having hopes of winning the SEC West and potentially making the college football playoff. The Top 15 match-up at Kyle Field will go a long way in determining how both teams finish their seasons. Here are some players to watch for both teams.
Texas A&M:
Jalen Wydermyer
Jalen Wydermyer is one of the top tight ends in the country, and he is widely projected to go in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and Auburn has struggled to defend tight ends at times during the season. Last week against Ole Miss, Auburn gave up 81 yards to tight end Casey Kelly. Against Penn State, it gave up 71 yards to tight end Brenton Strange. Wydermyer could end up having a huge game if Auburn continues to struggle to defend the middle of the field.
Zach Calzada
Calzada, also known as the Cuban Missile, has been the definition of inconsistent this season. He struggled in A&M’s losses throwing for only 286 total yards in both games combined. In A&M’s last three wins, he has thrown for seven touchdowns, including 285 yards and three touchdowns in the Aggies’ win over Alabama. Whichever version of Calzada shows up will go a long way in determining if A&M thrives offensively or struggles.
Isaiah Spiller/Devon Achane
A&M is a run-first team, it’s their identity. Spiller is their workhorse, averaging 6.2 yards per carry this season. In addition to his ball-carrying skills, he has totaled 179 receiving yards this season. Spiller is a shifty back that can also run defenders over. Devon Achane is their other back, and in A&M’s last two games against Missouri and South Carolina, he has totaled 16 and 20 carries, amassing 124 yards and 154 yards, respectively. Achane has world-class speed, and if he gets to the second level he is a threat to break a big play.
Demarvin Leal
Leal is likely going to go in the Top 10 of the 2022 NFL draft, and he is the Aggies’ best defender, and he will present a huge problem for Auburn’s offensive line that has struggled at times. Leal is a pass rusher off the edge, but he will line up all over the defensive front meaning that most of Auburn’s line will get a chance to block him. Leal is a great stuffer, and he has 8.5 Tackles for Loss and 5.5 sacks this season.
Auburn:
Bo Nix
Ever since being benched against Georgia State, Bo Nix has been on an absolute tear. He has helped lead Auburn to a 3-1 SEC record and has totaled six touchdowns through the air and ground. He has only thrown one interception in SEC play, and that was off of a tipped ball that hit Shaun Shivers in the hands. Texas A&M’s run defense has been solid and they will likely load the box and force Nix to beat them, so he needs to continue his stellar play for Auburn to pull out a win in College Station.
Auburn’s receiver group
Against Georgia, Auburn’s receiving corps had a game to forget, as they totaled seven drops on the day, but in the two games since they have been much better. A&M has an elite corner in Jaylon Jones on one side. At the other corner, A&M is a bit thin because of injuries, so it will be important for whoever lines up opposite of Jones to win their match up and give Nix windows to throw into because Jones will be tough to beat.
Auburn’s linebacking corps
As mentioned earlier, the Aggies love to run the ball, so naturally, Auburn’s linebacking corps will be a big part of this game. Last season, the Aggies ran for 313 yards, including 219 yards from Spiller and Achane combined. If the Aggies produce the same output, they will likely defeat Auburn, so Auburn’s linebackers will need to have big tackling games to slow down A&M’s dynamic running back duo. Auburn’s linebacking corps played very well last week against Ole Miss, and they will need a better performance to contain Spiller and Achane. A&M’s running backs are at their best when they get to the second level, as they are very shifty and speedy, so it will be imperative that the Auburn linebackers finish plays and don’t allow A&M’s backs to get to that second level.
Keys to victory
Texas A&M:
Run the ball and limit mistakes. The Aggies make their living off of running the football, and they will need to continue to run the ball with success. In addition, they have had a lot of drives stall because of interceptions or penalties putting them behind the sticks. If they limit mistakes and run the ball effectively they will win.
Defensively, they have to get to Bo Nix and finish plays. Nix is known for being able to make wild plays with his legs, so A&M’s defensive line needs to finish plays on him and not allow him to work his magic.
Auburn:
Tank Bigsby had a big game last week against Ole Miss, but A&M’s run defense is stout, so things won’t be as easy. This will be a Bo Nix game. If Nix is accurate, and if Auburn’s receivers can beat a vulnerable A&M secondary then Auburn will be able to do what they want offensively, as A&M will have to focus on the passing game allowing for Tank to get cleaner boxes to run against.
Defensively, make Zach Calzada beat you. A&M can run, sell out to stop the run, and force Calzada to beat you with his arm. If Auburn can stop the run and force Calzada to beat them, then the Tigers will be in great shape.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
Henry is a sophomore from Dallas, Texas. This is his second year with The Auburn Plainsman.
Twitter: @Henry_Patton23
