Auburn is set to face No. 16 Vanderbilt this weekend in FirstBank Stadium. Here's what our staff expects of the upcoming matchup:
Jackie Dominguez, Sports Editor: Auburn 24-21
I think Auburn is going to be motivated to win this week, and I think the new coach will have an impact on the locker room energy. Auburn has the second-best rush defense in the SEC, which should help in containing Diego Pavia when he leaves the pocket. Vanderbilt is not going to give up without a fight, but I think Auburn is ready to finish out this season strong and is going to fight for it. I think DJ Durkin is going to start Ashton Daniels, and I think the fresh new start this program is getting midseason might inspire players to show out for the last few games. Expect a dogfight, but I think Auburn has more to prove than Vanderbilt, and the result will show it.
Reid Farris, Sports Assistant Editor: Vanderbilt 21-17
I think that Vanderbilt has a lot to fight for and will show that on Saturday. Auburn will be improved with new motivation under interim DJ Durkin but I believe that the Vanderbilt defense will be too much for them to handle in the long run.
Auburn will be running out quarterback Ashton Daniels and I think he will step up from his last few appearances but not be able to close the game out in the end. The Tigers defense will continue it's ways holding the dangerous Diego Pavia down for most of the game but I think a critical turnover or big play will give Vanderbilt the edge late.
Rory Garvin, Sports Reporter: Vanderbilt 23-10
Earlier this week, Vanderbilt checked in at No. 16 in the first College Football Playoff rankings of the year. The Commodores will look to finish the season 3-0 and make a strong case for their first playoff appearance in history.
Derrick Nix will take over the play calling duties for Hugh Freeze, who was fired last week. He will give the keys to Ashton Daniels who will start at quarterback. While I believe Daniels will perform better than he did against Kentucky, it won’t be enough to outscore Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt.
D.J. Durkin and his defense have yet to allow more than 24 points in SEC play, and that trend should continue. The Tigers’ defense has kept them in every game, and it should be no different in Nashville, Tennessee, but ultimately, the offense once again won’t do its part.
Tyler Cox, Sports Writer: Vanderbilt 20-17
Auburn lost to Vanderbilt in its last meeting 17-7. I do not think the game this year will be too different in D.J. Durkin’s debut as interim head coach. Durkin will have Auburn fired up and the Tigers may come out and score early as they have done all this season, but Diego Pavia and Vanderbilt will be too much for the Auburn defense to handle late in the game. Pavia has been great against Auburn, beating them when he played for New Mexico State and at Vanderbilt last year. It will be a close game and a battle of defense, but Vanderbilt will outlast Auburn.
William Halliday, Sports Writer: Vanderbilt 20-13
Vanderbilt arguably has the best quarterback in the SEC and is fighting for a playoff spot. Auburn is fighting for a bowl bid to close out its regular season. It's going to be a battle in this game for who wants to accomplish their goal more. I think if Auburn can score two touchdowns in this game, they have a chance to win it because of their top-tier defense, which can hold Pavia to two touchdowns himself. After the debacle of a game that Auburn had offensively against Kentucky, the only way they can go is up. Don't see them having as poor an offensive performance as last week, though I also don't see them outshining Diego Pavia in the final minutes of the fourth quarter. With that being said, Vandy will win this game by a touchdown.
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