Scouting Auburn
There is nothing flashy about how Auburn goes about winning games. The Tigers prefer to run the ball and they like to play defense. It’s proven to be a winning formula on the plains ever since Coach Tommy Tuberville took control of the program in 1999.
Auburn is ranked No. 22 in the nation as it comes to Fayetteville to play Arkansas this Saturday. Since a mid-September swoon during which they suffered losses to South Florida and Mississippi State, the Tigers have defeated Florida and Vanderbilt.
Junior running back Brad Lester has returned after being suspended for the first five games because of an unresolved academic issue. He is joined in the backfield by Ben Tate and Mario Fannin, who each run behind a young, but talented offensive line.
The Tigers average 161.7 rushing yards per game — about 20 yards less than they produce through the air with their two-quarterback system. Freshman Kodi Burns has teamed with senior Brandon Cox recently and the former Fort Smith Northside product has played a role that is equivalent to the one Florida’s Tim Tebow performed last year.
On the other side of the ball, Auburn’s defense is ranked 14th nationally. The Tigers surrender an average of 293.3 yards per game. In the SEC, only LSU has held opponents to less. Auburn is quick and aggressive and defensive coordinator Will Muschamp is not afraid to gamble with his blitz packages.
But the Tigers are banged up. Four starters, including standout end Quentin Groves, missed Auburn’s 35-7 victory over Vanderbilt last Saturday. It should be noted, however, that the Commodores still managed to score only one touchdown against the Tigers. Here’s a look at that game:
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