On Saturday, both Auburn and Texas A&M will try to end its five-game losing streaks and move out of last place in the SEC West, but only one of the 3-6 teams will keep their bowl eligibility alive. Here's how our sports staff picked the game:
Callie Stanford, Sports Editor: Auburn 38-24
"There's a special feeling in the air this week, and I think it'll make itself known on Saturday. If the Auburn offense can limit turnovers and manage to be productive either through the air or on the ground, I think the defense can do enough on the other side to lock this one down."
Noah Griffith, Assistant Sports Editor: Auburn 38-20
"I think Coach Williams said it best: Auburn can build on the Mississippi State game. The firepower, communication and, most importantly, the execution was there after halftime. If Auburn keeps getting turnovers and playing to its strengths like it did late in the game in Starkville, I think Auburn has a chance to win out. Both teams are on a five-game losing streak, but Auburn is trending up, and the Aggies are falling uncontrollably down a slippery hill. I don't see how they can start going up again this week with a Tiger squad that is finally united."
Jacob Waters, Sports Reporter: Auburn 20-17
"I have not picked Auburn to win a game since the San Jose State game, but I think Auburn finally gets the job done this weekend. Both teams are riding five-game losing streaks, but from the outside, the morale looks higher at Auburn. The team seems sold on interim head coach Cadillac Williams' message of "Serve, discipline, believe." I typically don't pick games based on morale and energy, but under the lights in Jordan-Hare Stadium, I believe Auburn will use its run game to scrape by the Aggies."
Matthew Wallace, Sports Writer: Auburn 27-20
"Though home field has been anything but advantageous in the Auburn - Texas A&M series, the sellout Jordan-Hare Stadium crowd could make the difference for the Tigers on Saturday. The second half of the Mississippi State game, albeit in a loss, seemed to rejuvenate the Auburn team and fan base, giving the Tigers some momentum heading into this game. Texas A&M's defense gives up 215.1 rush yards per game, so Auburn, with its vaunted running back duo of Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter, should have just enough offense to win the battle of the bottom two teams in the SEC West."
Jac Myrick, Sports Writer: Auburn 23-17
"These two teams haven't seen a win since week four and are seeking their second conference victory. I think between the two, Auburn is the more motivated team. Coming off a strong performance in a loss to Mississippi State, the Tigers' offense continues to improve. This is probably the last opportunity for both teams get a conference win. I don't see A&M stopping the Tigers' rushing attack. So I think Auburn will capitalize off that and home field advantage to break this five-game losing streak."
Lily Stewart, Sports Writer: Auburn 27-24
"Auburn football is back! Last week Auburn learned that it could fight til the last minute, something this fan base hasn't see in a long time. After the firing of Harsin the whole mojo on the team changed. Due to the early week firing, the team had distractions that led them to not be able to prepare as well as they would have liked. This week is different. Coach Cadillac has the team fired up and ready to go. A&M doesn't have the defense to stop Bigsby and Hunter's running game. Auburn is started to trend up just as A&M is trending down. The timing's right, the crowd will be on fire, therefore Auburn pulls off a much-needed win at home."
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