Auburn Vs. Texas A&M Keys To Win In Week 4
Two different personas but perhaps the same outlook? That's one way to describe Texas A&M and Auburn football heading into 2023.
The Aggies are built on a foundation via recruiting. Since 2019, Jimbo Fisher has orchestrated consistent top 10 classes, featuring a handful of five stars that have made an impact from the jump.
The Tigers, now commanded by former Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze, are looking to set the tone this fall thanks to the transfer portal. Auburn's mantra this spring was to bring in veterans looking for second chances while proving to recruits a foundation that could be set in stone come summer of 2024.
Neither option is guaranteed to work. The Aggies finished punched their way to the top of recruiting standards in 2022, landing more five-star talent than anyone in the cycle's history. They still finished 5-7 and missed a bowl game for the first time since 2008.
Not every prospect that transfers is a superstar in the making. Some players leave due to their competition level, but realize their skillsets against Power 5 opponents will never flourish. Others depart top-notch programs due to lack of playing time, only to see similar results at the new school.
Both A&M and Auburn are viewed as "dark horses" for a reason. The Aggies must prove that talent and personnel can find a common ground under Fisher and new offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino. The Tigers must show that despite being under new direction, experience and proven production always triumphs over upside.
Week 4 could determine which program remains in the hunt for a shot at the SEC West title entering October. Here are the keys to win for both teams at Kyle Field come Sept. 23.
Texas A&M wins if...
They make Auburn's offense one-dimensional
Robby Ashford likely would have remained the starting quarterback if Carnell "Cadillac" Williams lost the interim tag. Instead, Freeze wanted to bring in his own guy and targeted former Michigan State starter Payton Thorne.
Thorne's best known for captaining a Spartans' offense that eventually hoisted up a Peach Bowl trophy in 2021. In retrospect, Mel Tucker asked him to do the bare minimum; complete short throws, evade turnovers and keep the ball off the turf.
That often happens when you have a Doak Walker Award tailback like Kenneth Walker III slicing and dicing his way past defenders. One year removed, Thorne regressed. So did Michigan State, failing to make a bowl game with a 5-7 record.
Jarquez Hunter potential status will factor into Auburn's ability run the football. Last season, the Tigers totaled 270 rushing yards against A&M's woeful run defense. Hunter finished with 114, while Tank Bigsby registered 121.
Bigsby is off to the pros, while Hunter remains indefinitely suspended by the program through an internal investigation. Forcing Thorne to throw late in games on early led to horrendous results in East Lansing. And it's not as if the Spartans were scarce at receiver. Keon Coleman was expected to be a human highlight reel in place of Jalen Nailor, while Jayden Reed perfected his route running in the slot before being drafted by the Packers in April.
Thorne didn't leave Michigan State to ride the bench at Auburn, but his struggles are evident. The Aggies boast a front seven with countless five-star talent waiting to rotate in. Following the passing of defensive line coach Terry Price earlier this month, players will suit up in his memory and look to send a message to opponents.
Forcing Thorne to be the sole proprietor of a game became a problem for Sparty in Big Ten country. Is that going to change in the SEC?
Auburn wins if...
It wins the time of possession
The Tigers "shocked" the SEC world last season at Jordan-Hare days after firing Bryan Harsin with a 13-10 against the Aggies. And while A&M's internal problems likely were one — if not the main reason — for a defeat on The Plains, Auburn's ability to keep its offense running down the clock was another.
The Tigers culminated 13 drives to the Aggies' 12. It's not about the number of drives run in a minute, but rather the concept of plays. A&M's longest drive lasted over six minutes, while its shortest was 31 seconds long. Auburn, meanwhile, averaged over 3:30 and seven plays a possession.
New offensive coordinator Philip Montgomery runs a consistent run-pass option (RPO) formation, meaning there'll be more of a tempo. When facing A&M, slow and steady could win the race, or in this case, matchup. It's all about putting pressure on a young offense to find its momentum.
Nothing says pressure like minutes remaining and down by a score, right?
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