This Saturday, the Auburn Tigers (2-4) will head to Columbia, Missouri, to face the No. 19 Missouri Tigers (5-1) in a pivotal SEC matchup. Auburn is looking to bounce back from a 31-13 loss to Georgia, while Missouri hopes to continue its strong campaign after a 45-3 blowout win over UMass.
Auburn’s Game PrevieW & Challenges
Auburn has had a rocky season under second-year head coach Hugh Freeze, struggling to find consistency in both offense and defense. Quarterback Payton Thorne has shown moments of potential, with 1,238 passing yards, 10 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions this season. However, the offense has struggled against stronger defenses, including recent losses to Oklahoma and Georgia. Auburn’s ground game, led by Jarquez Hunter, is averaging 165.5 yards per game, and Hunter has been the team’s most reliable offensive weapon, amassing 528 rushing yards and three touchdowns so far (Sports Chat Place, 2024).
On defense, Auburn's game preview includes allowing 337.7 yards per game. Key players like Dorian Mausi Jr. (31 tackles) and Keldric Faulk (5 sacks) will need to step up against a dynamic Missouri offense to have any chance of containing their opponent (Sports Chat Place, 2024).
Missouri’s Strong Season
Missouri is having one of its best seasons in years and remains in the hunt for a potential College Football Playoff spot. With a 5-1 record, their only setback came in a tough loss to Texas A&M, but they have since bounced back with commanding wins. Quarterback Brady Cook has been efficient, completing 64.7% of his passes for 1,351 yards, 7 touchdowns, and just 1 interception. The team is also strong on the ground, with Nate Noel leading a rushing attack that averages 187.5 yards per game (College Football Network, 2024).
Missouri’s defense has been formidable, allowing just 15.3 points per game. With playmakers like Corey Flagg Jr. (29 tackles) and Chris McClellan (2.5 sacks), Missouri’s defense will be looking to put pressure on Auburn’s struggling offensive line (Sports Chat Place, 2024).
Keys to the Game
For Auburn, the key will be establishing the run game early and protecting Payton Thorne, who has faced heavy pressure in previous games. If Jarquez Hunter can break free against Missouri’s defense, Auburn has a chance to keep this game competitive. On defense, Auburn will need to contain Brady Cook and prevent Missouri’s balanced offense from controlling the game (College Football Network, 2024).
Missouri, on the other hand, will aim to exploit Auburn’s defensive weaknesses, particularly in pass protection. If Cook can get into a rhythm, especially with star receiver Luther Burden III, Missouri should be able to score early and put Auburn on the back foot (Sports Chat Place, 2024).
Prediction
Missouri comes into this game as the clear favorite, with most sportsbooks favoring them by 4.5 points. Auburn’s inconsistency, particularly on offense, makes it difficult to see them pulling off the upset on the road. Missouri’s balanced offense and solid defense give them the edge in this matchup. While Auburn had an extra week to prepare, Missouri’s overall talent and home-field advantage should prove too much for the visiting Tigers.
Prediction: Missouri 31, Auburn 17
Call to Action
For Auburn fans looking for the best place to catch the game, visit Halftime Sports Bar in Auburn, Alabama! Enjoy daily specials, great food, and an exciting atmosphere while cheering on the Tigers. Halftime also hosts esports tournaments for games like Madden and EA Sports College Football, offering something for every sports fan. Visit HalftimeAuburn.com for more details on upcoming events and specials.
References
College Football Network. (2024). Auburn vs. Missouri Prediction. Retrieved from https://www.collegefootballnetwork.comSports
Chat Place. (2024). Missouri vs. Auburn Prediction and Picks. Retrieved from https://www.sportschatplace.com
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