Following its first loss of the season to Penn State, Auburn football looks to right the ship this Saturday. Opening SEC play with Missouri, this afternoon game will feature homecoming festivities before the Tigers hit the true stretch of their conference games.
Here's how our staff are picking the games:
Callie Stanford, Sports Editor: Auburn 20-17
"I'm really on the fence with this one. I think Auburn wins out of sheer will after an embarrassing Penn State loss, but likely not in a convincing way as they work on getting out the kinks. I hope no one has forgotten the debacle of the last homecoming.
I think they squeak by to maintain a bit of pride. That's me imagining the positive outlook, so there's always the possibility of a truly terrible loss. Anders Carlson will be there to bail out the offense as they struggle, but the Tigers get it done this Saturday."
Noah Griffith, Assistant Sports Editor: Auburn 20-10
"I think Auburn will have every opportunity to exploit Missouri's weak run defense -- they gave up 235 yards on the ground against Kansas State. However, if Auburn continues to not be a factor in the turnover battle, it will be tough to win games. I expect Derrick Hall to have a big week and force Brady Cook to make quick reads, leading to Auburn's first takeaway of the year and a low-scoring win."
Jacob Waters, Sports Reporter: 17-16 Auburn
"Both teams are 2-1 but neither fanbase is overjoyed right now. Auburn is fresh off a 41-12 drumming against Penn State and Missouri got pounded by Kansas State similarly, 40-12 a couple of weeks ago. Both teams have major question marks on both sides of the ball. The key here will be the turnover battle. Missouri has turned the ball over seven times this season while Auburn has forced zero turnovers. I think on the road, Missouri continues its turnover woes and Auburn makes a key stop defensively late in the game to grind out a win."
Matthew Wallace, Sports Writer: Auburn 16-10
"Both Auburn and Missouri have had one test against a Power Five team - and both failed that test miserably. If Auburn is to win, it has to limit turnovers against a Missouri defense that has forced six opponent turnovers this season. With the health of T.J. Finley uncertain, Auburn will likely go to the ground game early and often against a Missouri rush defense that faltered against Kansas State. Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter, if the offensive line is able to open running lanes, should have big games. Auburn has to improve in the red zone, but a trustworthy kicker in Anders Carlson could save the Tigers in what could be a low-scoring game."
Donavan Weaver, Sports Writer: Auburn 31-13
"After an embarrassing performance against Penn State, Auburn welcomes Mizzou for homecoming. While I don't believe there was anything positive about Auburn's performance last Saturday, I don't see them dropping a game to a poor Missouri team. I think the offensive line will improve, and Robbie Ashford will be the definitive QB1 which I believe will help his confidence and performance. Auburn will finally force a couple turnovers on the defensive side of the ball and get after Missouri's QB. I believe Missouri will keep it competitive for a half, but Auburn puts the petal to the metal in the 3rd quarter to get a dominant win."
Larry Robinson, Photo Editor: Missouri 17-13
"Wow. Who would've thought that a matchup against the SEC East powerhouse in Missouri would decide the direction for the rest of Auburn's season? This reality is upon us. With the speculation that there may be a change in quarterback after T.J. Finley left last week's game a little banged up, this may be Missouri's best chance at an SEC West win outside of Arkansas in quite a long time. Auburn's defense gets after Brady Cook but doesn't get him to the ground enough to rattle his confidence. Whoever is in at quarterback for the home Tigers will likely continue to struggle with a lack of receiver separation and an offensive line who couldn't stop a Walmart buggy being pushed by my grandma. Missouri shocks the world and pulls off this "upset".
Daniel Schmidt, Assistant News Editor: Auburn 17-14
"Auburn gets a conference win before facing a murderer's row of LSU, Georgia and Ole Miss. With the expected absence of T.J. Finley, I expect Auburn to utilize Robby Ashford in the read option much in the way of former great Nick Marshall. With a steady diet of Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter, Auburn will slowly constrict the clock and limit Missouri's touches on offense.
The defense gets enough from the offense this week to win in a low-scoring affair. The Tigers avoid an embarrassing homecoming defeat that would make Bryan Harsin's already red-hot seat an all-consuming supernova."
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