Auburn Daily Roundtable: Samford brings interesting challenge for Tigers

How will Auburn handle Samford's passing attack on Saturday?

Lance Dawe | Sep 15, 2023

Auburn Daily Roundtable: Samford brings interesting challenge for Tigers /

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The Auburn Tigers take on the Samford Bulldogs on Saturday in what is expected to be a tune-up before the SEC opener vs Texas A&M.

Bulldogs' quarterback Michael Hiers is one of the best signal-callers in FCS and could pose a legitimate threat.

How will Auburn handle not just Samford's QB, but their own this weekend?

Here's the Auburn Daily staff's thoughts on this weekend.

How do you feel about Auburn's quarterback situation? Should Freeze stick with one quarterback?

Jack: Thorne is learning the script and it doesn’t help when his understudy keeps being put in to steal half of his lines. Let Thorne get 80+% of the snaps and this passing attack might come together.

Daniel: I believe that Freeze should stick with Thorne. Ashford definitely has a place in this offense, but as far as an every-down quarterback I think it needs to be Thorne.

Joshua: I believe Coach Freeze should stick with one quarterback and live and die by that decision. Although Robby Ashford has arguably the higher ceiling, Payton Thorne is closer to his ceiling and much more of an accurate passer. He should be allowed to establish a rhythm as the man under center and see where it leads to.

Shel: Hugh Freeze needs to have one quarterback start and finish the drives. The more playing time Payton Thorne has with his receivers, the better the connection and passing game will be.

Steve: Auburn needs to stick with one quarterback, especially given that Payton Thorne has only been working with the team for seven weeks. He needs to finish off some drives on the field. Robby should have some packages for certain situations (redone, short yardage), but those must include pass attempts and be limited.

If you could make Auburn statistically the best in the SEC at one thing for the rest of the season, what would it be?

Jayson Jones vs UMass - Eric Starling/Auburn Daily — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Jack: Sacks, with our secondary an elite pass rush could be the difference maker for our season.

Daniel: If I could make Auburn the best in the SEC in one category it would be passing yards. Being dangerous through the air is the key to success in the modern era of the game of football.

Joshua: I would like to see Auburn being the best defensively, as in their total defense. I believe we have the tools available to win games on the offensive side of the football, but great defenses win championships.

Shel: I would choose turnover margin. Keeps our defense fresh, and wears out theirs.

Steve: Third Down Conversions - Converting third downs keeps drives alive and allows the defense to stay fresh.

Does Auburn hold the Bulldogs under 230 yards passing?

Jack: I think we keep them under 300 but 230 is too low of a bar to set when Hiers has only been held below that 3 times. Once was against UGA last season, a bad showing against Furman who is a top 5 team in the FCS, and an injury game against SELA.

Daniel: I believe that Auburn will hold Samford under 230 passing yards. This secondary has potential to be great and I think that will be on display this week.

Joshua: I doubt we will be able to keep them under 230-yards passing during this matchup. There have been some significant alignment issues so far within our secondary that absolutely need to be adjusted before this defensive unit is capable of accomplishing that.

Shel: The Tigers keep the Bulldogs under 230 yards passing. Our secondary is one of the best position groups on the team, and I’m not expecting Hiers to air it out.

Steve: Auburn will hold them under 300, but not under 230. I think the get slightly over that, maybe 240-250.

Who's been the biggest surprise player through two games?

Eugene Asante vs UMass — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Jack: Definitely Eugene Asante, he’s sneaky fast and has been above average in coverage, run-stopping, and pass rushing. Offensively, I would say Kam Stutts. I went to HS with him and his turnaround has been both great to see as a fan and as someone who watched him evolve early on.

Daniel: The biggest surprise player through two games in my opinion has been Jay Fair. He has taken big strides and is developing into a dependable target.

Joshua: The biggest surprise player for me is Eugene Asante. To be playing on scout team only a season ago to being the go to guy is astonishing, I am looking forward to seeing how much more he progresses as the season continues.

Shel: Eugene Asante is by far the most impressive player and surprising player on the team. He stepped up in a big moment of need with Austin Keys out.

Steve: Eugene Asante. Is there really another answer?

Final score predictions

Jeremiah Cobb vs UMass - Eric Starling/Auburn Daily — Eric Starling/Auburn Daily

Jack: 59-10 Auburn. They’ll throw the rock around and rack up yardage but this defense has proven that they can create turnovers and cause havoc. Offense will hopefully have a QB flow through the entire game and light it up.

Daniel: I think Auburn picks up a 45-10 win on Saturday.

Joshua: Auburn wins 49-14.

Shel: I’m positive we throw the ball around a bit on Saturday. 63-7 Auburn.

Steve: 56-10, Auburn.