Texas A&M Week 11 Opponent Preview: Auburn Tigers

A winner take all matchup for both teams? Who'd thought that when the season began?

Texas A&M is currently on its longest losing streak in four decades following Saturday's 41-24 loss to Florida. Credit, 31 total players were out against the Gators due to illness or injury, but the Aggies were expected to fight for a College Football Playoff berth, not bowl eligibility.

The same can't be said for Auburn.

After a troublesome offseason filled with investigations and buyout chatter, the Tigers elected to fire Bryan Harsin following a 9-12 record in less than two seasons. Harsin was never viewed as the "right" fit on The Plains, but after the program fired Gus Malzhan following an eight-year run, it needed stability for at least a season.

That didn't happen. Since Harsin was hired, more than two dozen players have left the program, including 19 of the top 50 recruits in the previous four recruiting cycles. Meanwhile, former Auburn quarterback Bo Nix is potentially a front-runner for the Heisman and has Oregon vying for a Pac-12 title and College Football Playoff berth under first-year coach Dan Lanning.

Auburn already is down a coach, multiple starters and has yet to show consistency in any SEC matchup. While the Aggies (3-6, 1-5) are slightly better off, the situation is different. A&M was ranked No. 6 preseason and is on the cusp of having its first sub-.500 record since 2008.

With former Auburn star Carnell "Cadillac" Williams now leading the charge, will the Tigers rally together to get a win at home come Saturday?

Make sure to follow along with AllAggies.com as we continue to provide an in-depth look at every opponent on the Aggies' schedule.

Auburn Tigers

2022 Record: 3-6 (1-5 SEC)

Offensive schemes: Multiple

Defensive schemes: Multiple, predominantly 4-2-5

Head Coach: Carnell "Cadillac" Williams (0-1)

Williams is currently serving as the interim coach following the firing of Bryan Harsin

Returning starters on offense: 4

Even after the firing of Mike Bobo, the Tigers offense never found its footing. Receivers continue to drop passes. The offensive line has allowed far too many pressures. And while Robby Ashford has been the best option at quarterback, the two variables listed above have held him back from showing promise as the long-term option post-2022.

Auburn's run game remains the lone constant for the program. The combination of Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter has been potent all season. Hunter is averaging 4.6 yards per rush attempt and has scored six touchdowns. Bigsby, who Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher described as "one of the best backs" he's ever faced, is averaging 5.6 yards per run and has a team-high eight touchdowns.

Ashford, who is expected to start, hasn't recorded more than 35 pass attempts since Week 6. In last week's 39-33 overtime loss to Mississippi State, the Tigers ran 68 total plays, 46 of which came on the ground.

The good news for Auburn? Texas A&M is currently 123rd nationally in defending the run, allowing opponents to average 215 yards per game on the ground and 4.9 yards per carry.

Projected offensive starters:

QB Robby Ashford

RB Tank Bigsby*

WR (Z) Koy Moore

WR (X) Shedrick Jackson*

WR (H) Ja’Varrius Johnson

TE John Samuel Shenker*

LT Kilian Zierer

LG Kameron Stutts

OC Brandon Council

RG Alec Jackson

RT Austin Troxell*

* denotes returning starter

Returning starters on defense: 5

Auburn finished eighth among SEC teams in total defense with coordinator Derek Mason calling the shots. One season was enough for Harsin and Mason to mutually part ways after falling out of the top 50 in defensive rankings among all FBS programs.

The Tigers took a step back under the direction of Jeff Schmedding. Currently, Auburn is 91st nationally in total defense, 103rd in scoring and 114th in run defense. Opponents are also converting 42 percent of their third-down conversions, third-down conversions, the 31st-most among all FBS programs.

Derick Hall has boosted his draft stock with 6.5 sacks on the season. Owen Pappoe has continued to be a stalwart up the middle as the Tigers' leading tackler. One of the biggest concerns with Auburn has been its inability to force turnovers. Through nine games, the Tigers have just three interceptions and six fumble recoveries.

Projected defensive starters:

EDGE Derick Hall*

DT Marcus Harris*

NG Jayson Jones

DE Colby Wooden*

MLB Owen Pappoe*

WLB Cam Riley

CB Nehemiah Pritchett*

CB D.J. James

NB Keionte Scott

S Donovan Kaufman

S Zion Puckett

* denotes returning starter

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