Tigers vs. Aggies Week 4 Staff Predictions
In this story:
Two teams enter SEC conference play as dark horses in the west, but a spit-swapping showdown at Kyle Field will cease chatter of a potential College Football Playoff berth.
Both Texas A&M and Auburn are a year removed from finishing below .500 and missing out on a bowl game. The Tigers overhauled their staff by adding in former Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze while aggressively targeting experience via the transfer portal. The Aggies, meanwhile, lost over 25 percent of their roster to the portal, but focused on developing the young talent from 2022's historic recruiting class.
So far, both have turned the corner for the better. Auburn continues to find success on the ground behind its dual-threat duo of quarterbacks Payton Thorne and Robby Ashford. A&M has been one of the more potent offenses at Kyle Field behind first-year coordinator Bobby Petrino, scoring over 47 points in its previous two matchups.
A loss for Auburn only knocks it down a peg, but at least the Tigers will go down swinging. For A&M, it's win-now mode from here on out if the Aggies hope to remain in the College Football Playoff hunt.
Who comes out on top on a scorching Texas morning kick in College Station? Here are the AllAggies' staff's Week 4's predictions at Kyle Field.
Matt Galatzan, Publisher
Auburn is going to be in their first year of the High Freeze era - and he has a lot to fix. I think the Aggies jump out early and never look back.
Texas A&M 27 , Auburn 10
Cole Thompson, Staff Writer
Everything comes down to third-down conversions. Auburn has held opponents to a success rate of 24.3 percent success rate. The Aggies are converting nearly twice as much even with a limit run game. Jimbo Fisher will need state troopers to walk off that field if he loses to a first-year coach while he's in Year 6. It's closer than expected by A&M heads to Arlington to face off against Arkansas at 1-0.
Texas A&M 34, Auburn 28
Connor Zimmerlee, Staff Writer
It was an ugly, low-scoring affair between these two teams last season - with Auburn edging out Texas A&M 13-10 in a game that was far from memorable. Now, A&M looks to bounce back from a disappointing 5-7 showing last year. The Aggies will get off to a strong start, coming out and beginning conference play at 1-0.
Texas A&M 28, Auburn 17
Casey Smith, Staff Writer
With last season's matchup being arguably some of the hardest football to watch, this year's matchup between Texas A&M and Auburn — who are both likely to still be Southeastern Conference bottom feeders in 2023 — is surely going to be more entertaining, right?
The Aggies' performance last year can't be blamed on the waffling quarterback situation, as Conner Weigman had already been established as the quarterback to take the 2022 season home. Regardless, Texas A&M should have at least a little more offensive rhythm with Bobby Petrino calling plays. Plus, the Aggies are at home.
Texas A&M 24, Auburn 20
Matt Guzman, Staff Writer
Last season was all but pretty for the Aggies. This fall, however, things are looking up in College Station, especially with Weigman's return. Auburn will be under new management and looking to find its footing, but luckily for the Aggies, they'll be coming off of three straight non-conference matchups and will ideally be 3-0. I think Texas A&M will be hot heading into its first SEC game, and should have enough to make it a drama-free 4-0 victory.
Texas A&M 24, Auburn 10
