As the Tigers head up to Columbia, MO following their first bye week of the season, here's what some of our staff has to say about the matchup between Auburn and No. 21 Missouri, complete with score predictions and analysis.
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: Missouri 27-13
"Auburn hasn't won a game against a team of high caliber under Hugh Freeze. Until they do I struggle to pick Auburn against an average or better team — Missouri is in the better' category.
"I wouldn't be shocked if the orange and blue Tigers executed a little bit better and show signs of improvement but they just haven't learned how to win yet."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: Missouri 27-21
"Auburn will play better and lose."
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: Missouri 35-17
"Auburn will have all they can handle trying to defend a potent Missouri offense with the trio of Brady Cook, Luther Burden and Theo Wease Jr. Hugh Freeze discussed during the bye week the need for more consistent execution, needing to make more plays on critical downs and ultimately making plays when they need to be made in order for the Tigers to flip the momentum around in the second half of the season. That all starts Saturday.
Ultimately, I think Missouri's offense is too much for a young, thin Auburn secondary. Until Auburn proves it can score enough points to stay competitive down the stretch, I'm picking Missouri to win and keep its playoff hopes alive."
William Halliday, Sports Writer: Missouri 30-17
"Auburn is coming off its first bye-week of the season, and at a much needed time given that the team hasn't won its first SEC game yet. The Tigers are doing well in all the statistical categories on offense, but can't seem to put those together to string out a meaningful win. Payton Thorne and Hugh Freeze have had multiple miscommunications on plays that are crucial and end up being to the detriment of the team and cost them another opportunity to score.
Hopefully Freeze was able to shore up a lot of those miscommunications in the film room and just with a week off to really get to know his quarterback better. Missouri two weeks ago had a disastrous game against Texas A&M and followed it up with a rebound win against a less than stellar UMass team. Give me the Missouri Tigers to pull this one out as I just trust their offense more given they have Brady Cook and a more experienced team."
Craig Noyes, Sports Writer: Auburn 24-21
"Auburn has found itself in an unexpected spot this season. Few expected them to be 6-0, but maybe even less expected to be 2-4. Turnovers have plagued Auburn, and fans have been waiting for that game that they did not commit a turnover, and they didn’t in their last game, but unfortunately, that was against No. 5 Georgia.
Missouri, on the other hand, is returning from back-to-back road games and is coming off an unprecedented trip to UMass. The Missouri Tigers are in a look-ahead spot as they travel to Alabama the following week.
I believe Auburn will finally win a turnover battle, and with two weeks of preparation, the Auburn Tigers will shock Mizzou fans, and Hugh Freeze will finally deliver Auburn's first-ranked win since Ole Miss in the 2021 season."
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