Coming off a bye week and hopes at a bowl game still remaining, the Tigers are looking to pick up their fourth win of the season on Saturday against ULM. Our sports staff answered a few questions on what to expect from Auburn as it tries to keep its bowl hopes alive.
With uncertainty at the quarterback position leading into the game, who do you expect to trot out for the Tigers on Saturday?
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: "Hank Brown. Hugh Freeze and Payton Thorne haven’t exactly been telling the same tale in their media appearances this week so I would expect Freeze to move to Brown to start Saturday’s game."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: "Until Hugh Freeze or Payton Thorne says otherwise, I expect Thorne to get the start on Saturday. It's not out of the realm of possibility that Hank Brown or Holden Geriner see some snaps, but I expect Thorne to dominate playing time."
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: "It's obviously still up in the air whether or not Payton Thorne will get the start after Hugh Freeze said on Wednesday that Thorne was "not as far along I'd hoped with the shoulder." I think Thorne will still probably get the start, but I would definitely expect Hank Brown and maybe even Holden Geriner or Walker White to get some run.
Craig Noyes, Sports Writer: "I believe that the Tigers will see the return of Hank Brown. After playing the first half of the Arkansas game and the questionable health of Payton Thorne, it is time to end the Thorne era and get Brown reps moving forward."
Charles Diegnan, Sports Writer: "While the Tigers offense has struggled with Payton Thorne under center, I expect Thorne to be the one running onto the field for Auburn’s first possession in Saturday’s matchup. With that said, I think Coach Freeze keeps Thorne on a tight leash. If the offense continues to struggle early on, even without any turnovers from Thorne, I think Freeze turns to either Hank Brown or Holden Geriner to be the spark that the offense needs. "
Will Jarquez Hunter surpass the 1,000-yard mark on Saturday?
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: "One would think the quarterback questions would actually force Auburn to run the ball more in the final three games — providing Hunter a chance to meet the mark. Of course, we’ll see if they in fact do that."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: "Yes. The Tigers should rely heavily on their run game against ULM as the Warhawks have allowed at least six yards per carry in two of their past three matchups. Hunter should see carries, and lots of them. He could surpass the mark in the first quarter, quite frankly."
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: "Yes, I'd expect Jarquez Hunter to reach the 1,000-yard mark on Saturday. He has 913 yards on the season, and truthfully should have already accomplished this feat. Auburn will probably utilize more than just Hunter down the stretch in this one, but 87 yards is a feasible task for Hunter, who ranks sixth all time in career rushing yards at Auburn."
Craig Noyes, Sports Writer: "The Warhawk defense is giving up almost 200 rushing yards per game. No matter how much Freeze tries to spread out the carries. It would be near impossible for Hunter to surpass this total."
Charles Diegnan, Sports Writer: "As Jarquez Hunter only needs 87 more yards to surpass the 1,000 yard threshold, I expect Hunter to be fed the ball early and often. With ULM allowing 216.1 rush yards per game and 5.0 yards per rush attempt this season, I expect Hunter to have over 100 yards on the ground before the start of the fourth quarter."
If Auburn has a sizable lead heading into the fourth quarter, what freshmen do you expect to get some playing time?
Patrick Bingham, Sports Editor: "Walker White actually participated in a scrimmage last week so potentially him at quarterback late. Nothing super special just some good experience since redshirts are all but accounted for with three games left."
Grace Heim, Assistant Sports Editor: "Honestly, I am not so sure we will see too many new faces. Auburn already plays a decent amount of freshman, and even if it boasts a decent lead heading into the final quarter, I expect Freeze to play the same guys. The Tigers have struggled to close games, so I don't expect to see Freeze subbing in too many new faces. "
Logan Fowler, Sports Reporter: "Auburn has already played a ton of freshman - the Tigers lead the nation in defensive snaps played by freshmen this season - but there are still a handful of guys who are yet to see some action. I mentioned White as an option to get some run at the quarterback position, but guys like Bryce Cain, DeAndre Carter and Joe Phillips could see some action with a sizable lead late in the fourth quarter."
Craig Noyes, Sports Writer: "Given the amount of young talent this Auburn team already relies on, I would not expect the Auburn fans to see many faces. The rep count for players like Perry Thompson and Bryce Cain could expand with a slim chance for freshman quarterback Walker White to make his first appearance."
Charles Diegnan, Sports Writer: "If Auburn can put themselves in position to have an insurmountable lead heading into the fourth quarter, I expect freshman defensive lineman TJ Lindsey to earn some meaningful snaps. Lindsey committed to Auburn as a four-star athlete, but has not had many snaps this season as he is stuck behind a talented and experienced defensive front of Jalen McLeod, Philip Blidi and freshman counterpart Malik Blockton. If the Tigers’ offense can produce and give the starters an early end to their day, expect Lindsey and a few more freshmen to be running onto the field in the fourth quarter."
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