Tennessee vs. Auburn Preview

Photo Credit: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

Tennessee clashes with No. 21 Auburn at noon on Saturday, with the game airing on the SEC Network. The Tigers are 4-2 (1-2 in the SEC), with wins over Washington, Alabama State, Arkansas and Southern Miss. Their 2 losses came in a 22-21 loss to LSU and a 23-9 loss at Mississippi State last week. The Vols used to be bitter rivals with Auburn, as the teams played each other every year from 1956 to 1991. The annual series ended as the SEC divided into 2 divisions. Auburn leads the all-time series 28-21-3 and Saturday marks the 53rd meeting between the 2 schools.

This season, Auburn averages 28.7 PPG, while allowing just 14.3 PPG. They have run the ball for 163.8 yards per game and passed for 200.3 yards per game. Auburn quarterback, Jarrett Stidham has completed 101-168 passes for 1,177 yards, 5 touchdowns and 2 interceptions on the year. Running back, JaTarvious Whitlow has carried the ball 69 times for 414 yards and 4 touchdowns. Ryan Davis leads the Tigers in receiving with 29 receptions for 252 yards this year. Defensively, Deshaun Davis has recorded 53 tackles this season. As for the Vols' defense, Daniel Bituli's 26 tackles this season leads the team.

On Monday, Jeremy Pruitt addressed the fact that the game will kickoff at 11:00 local time, saying, "I like 11 a.m. kickoffs, especially on the road. We'll be home by 7:30 that night. Sitting around all day as opposed to a 7 o'clock, I like 11 o'clock myself." Additionally, he spoke about what it will take to defend Auburn's offense on Saturday, stating, "You need to keep your edges. These guys do a really good job of running the football. They create a lot of explosive plays out on the perimeter, so you have to have good edges to make them block you to begin with. I think you have to eliminate explosive plays in the pass game. You need to get them in third-and-long yardage. If you don't, their run-pass options are really tough to defend. Last year, converting third downs was probably the difference in the ball game when I coached against them. We have to get off the field on third down. You need to hold them to field goals in the red area. You have to find ways to get some turnovers. All the things I just said probably (apply to) every week. Against these guys, it's going to be important."

Tennessee has outscored opponents 45-25 in the second quarter of games this season, but has been outscored 31-13 in the first quarters. Tennessee will need to make some big plays, particularly in the passing game, in order to get off to a fast start. The Vols are 10-4 all-time on October 13 and they will look to take home a win with an upset of Auburn on Saturday.

Preston's Pick: Tennessee 23  Auburn 20

Alex’s Pick: Tennessee 17  Auburn 27