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Texas A&M Football

SEC Round-Up: Run-heavy Auburn surging after early struggles

October 27, 2016
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The hottest team in the Southeastern Conference may actually be the other team in Alabama.

Though Alabama is deservedly ranked No. 1 in the country, Auburn has surfaced as a bona fide threat in the SEC West.

The Tigers were almost forgotten after getting off to a 1-2 start with losses to Clemson and Texas A&M.

But since losing to the Aggies, the Tigers have won four straight and outscored opponents 170-37 in the process.

The main reasons for the resurrection are a powerful running game that’s just getting better and consistent play from sophomore quarterback Sean White, who gets better as the Tigers get better.

“We were a young, inexperienced offense earlier in the year really trying to find our identity and get consistent around him,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said.

“You’ve seen the more we’ve been consistent around him, the better he’s gotten. He’s got a very good understanding of our offense. Last year the experience he had really helped him. He’s been more of a run threat. That’s helped him, too.”

White won’t dazzle anybody with his passing or running ability, but he’s been efficient in the offense. In the four-game surge, White has completed 53 of 72 passes (.736 percent) for an average of 188.5 yards with four touchdowns and just one interception.

White is needed only to complement a running game, which has soared in the last three games and last week produced a season-high 543 yards in a blowout of Arkansas.
He is needed only to complement a running game, which has soared in the last three games and last week produced a season-high 543 yards in a blowout of Arkansas.

The Tigers did that without running back Kerryon Johnson, who was sidelined with an ankle injury. He’ll be back in the lineup to provide a one-two punch with Kamryn Pettway this week against Ole Miss.

Extending the winning streak to five straight may depend on playing strong pass defense against Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly.

But Auburn held Arkansas’ Austin Allen to just 187 passing yards. In fact, no team has passed for 200 yards against Auburn since A&M had 247 on Sept. 17.

No doubt, Auburn has found its identity.

And consequently has found itself in the thick of the West Division race.

Around the SEC…


Who's hot: Auburn running back Kamryn Pettway is a big reason for the Tigers’ recent surge. He rushed for 169 yards and three touchdowns in a 38-14 victory over Mississippi State. He followed that up last week with 192 yards and two touchdowns in a 56-3 victory over Arkansas. Auburn has rushed for a combined 771 yards in the past two games. Pettway is responsible for 361 of those.

Who's not: Missouri’s defense is an abomination. The Tigers have allowed 1,741 yards and 133 points in their last three games. That includes 584 yards and 51 points against Middle Tennessee State last week.

Keep an eye on: Kentucky freshman running back Benjamin Snell may be obscure to most, but he’s running strong of late. He had 128 rushing yards and a touchdown in last week’s victory over Mississippi State. He figures to post back-to-back 100-yard performances. The Wildcats face Missouri and their aforementioned abysmal defense this week. An opposing running back has exceeded 100 rushing yards in each of the last three games against Missouri. Snell likely will make it four.

Florida needs a win to maintain hopes to win the SEC East. Georgia needs a win to forget losing to Vanderbilt two weeks ago.
Best matchup: Any time Georgia and Florida hook up in what was once known as “The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” it’s worth a look. Great history in that game between bitter rivals. Both have solid defenses and mediocre offenses, so points will be at a premium. Florida needs a win to maintain hopes to win the SEC East. Georgia needs a win to forget losing to Vanderbilt two weeks ago.

Worst mismatch: Poor run defense is common in the SEC this season. Five teams are ranked 103rd or worse in the nation against the run. The worst of those is Ole Miss (113), which is allowing an average of 226.8 rushing yards per game. Five of the Rebels’ last six opponents accumulated at least 200 rushing yards.

Next, the Rebs face Auburn, which just happens to lead the SEC in rushing and is third nationally with an average of 302.8 yards per game. Ole Miss allowed LSU’s Leonard Fournette 284 rushing yards last week. Auburn’s Pettway could make a run at that total.

This week’s games: New Mexico State at Texas A&M; Auburn at Ole Miss; Florida vs. Georgia at Jacksonville; Kentucky at Missouri; South Carolina at Tennessee; Samford at Mississippi State
Tags: SEC, Football, 2016
Discussion from...

SEC Round-Up: Run-heavy Auburn surging after early struggles

3,186 Views | 2 Replies | Last: 7 yr ago by cedar
SA68AG
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AG
Maybe they only appear to have gotten a whole lot better because the Aggies and Clemson are a lot better than the teams they've played lately.
cedar
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yeah don't believe your eyes and the amazing stats. they only APPEAR to be better.
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