Players to watch, keys to victory against Alabama A&M

The long wait for Auburn football is over and the Tigers will kick off year two under Hugh Freeze at home against in-state opponent Alabama A&M. 

“Alabama A&M, looking forward to hosting them in Jordan-Hare. It's our second straight year of sold-out tickets. I know it’s wear orange night. Looking forward to having all of our great, great fans in that stadium and to see how Jordan-Hare is going to kick off the ‘24 season and to see their support for our players. So excited about that," Freeze said on Monday.

After an up-and-down 2023 season for the Tigers that ended with a bowl game loss to Maryland, Auburn will get to flash their new additions against a team from the SWAC. 

This game marks the third-ever meeting between the schools, with Auburn holding a 2-0 record after defeating the Bulldogs 51-7 in 2012 and 55-0 in 2016. 

Alabama A&M enters this contest after a 5-6 record in 2023 and will face an SEC opponent in its opening game for the second straight season after traveling to Nashville in a 47-13 loss to Vanderbilt. 

Players to watch

Auburn: 

Wide Receiver Room

While Auburn is returning leading receiver Tight End Rivaldo Fairweather, he only racked up 394 yards. This feat marks the second year in a row Auburn has failed to notch a 500-yard receiver and the first time the Tigers have failed to get a 400-yard receiver since 2008. 

The receiver room saw an overhaul headlined by four incoming freshman receivers: Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, Bryce Cain, and Malcolm Simmons. Coleman, a five-star from Phenix City, AL, is the second highest-rated recruit in Auburn history, according to 247 Sports. 

They will join a pair of transfers: Robert Lewis from Georgia State and Keandre Lambert-Smith from Penn State.

“One of the most impressive things about Dre is his leadership," Freeze said of Auburn's new veteran receiver. "The way he’s bringing along and helping teach and coach and mentor the Cams and Perrys and Malcolms and Bryces. I didn’t know that was the case when you get a transfer, but he’s just selfless in trying to help those guys. Glad to see him bounce back at the end of last week and he looked ready to play. He had a great few practices at the end of last week.” 

Auburn should be able to let most of its receiver talent get reps against the Bulldogs in hopes of improving its passing game in the 2024 season. 

Kayin Lee (DB)

After losing starting cornerbacks Nehemiah Pritchett and D.J. James to the NFL draft, Auburn will have to lean on second-year cornerback Kayin Lee to help fill in the missing production. 

“Yeah, you see him starting to move like a vet," teammate Keionte Scott said of Lee. "You see a guy that you know got some opportunity to play early last year. And, he's coming up into his role, where his time has come now for him to step into a starting position and he's every day, meeting with Coach crime. He’s doing the smart things you learn over time. So very excited for him, also to just see him perform and continue his journey.”

In 2023, Auburn recorded 12 interceptions, but Caleb Wooden makes up one of those 12 and is the only Tiger of the seven that recorded interceptions to return. 

The former four-star from Ellenwood, Georgia, has received high praise from coaches, with Freeze saying he believes Lee is an NFL cornerback. 

Lee will get plenty of reps on Saturday and will be an essential piece of the Auburn defense.

Alabama A&M:

Emari Pait (DB)

Emari Pait, a former three-star prospect, spent the first two seasons of his career at Fresno State before transferring to Alabama A&M in 2023. 

Pait has become a focal point of the Bulldog defense after struggling to find playing time at Fresno State. The redshirt sophomore recorded four interceptions and three fumble recoveries in 2023, both team highs. Pait also was fourth on the team in tackles with 49. 

While Auburn will be looking to show its revamped receiver room, Pait will provide them with a challenge. 

Keys to Victory

Auburn:

If the Tigers were somehow to lose this game, it would constitute the largest upset in Auburn history. However, the Tigers outclass the Bulldogs on all fronts and will rely on their next-level athleticism to overpower the team from the SWAC.

Alabama A&M

While the Bulldogs don’t have the track record of taking down FBS teams like other FCS powerhouses, if there is anything they can hold onto, it is Auburn's defeat against New Mexico State. If they can find some magic as the Aggies did, they can spoil the opening Saturday of a hopeful Auburn faithful.