Texas A&M Aggies vs. Auburn Tigers Pick & Prediction NOVEMBER 23rd 2024

Preview and Prediction

The Auburn meeting room was abuzz with excitement after Mike Elko's slip-up. You could almost feel the bulletin-board material being pinned up as the words came off his tongue.

The No. 15 Texas A&M Aggies are gearing up for an epic battle with the No. 3 Texas Longhorns on November 30th, which could potentially determine their fate in the 12-team College Football Playoff. But before that, they must face the Auburn Tigers in a Southeastern Conference showdown this Saturday.

Elko acknowledged the importance of staying focused on the task at hand, especially with so much at stake. He promised that the Aggies wouldn't overlook the struggling Auburn team, despite their upcoming big game against Texas.

The slip-up in Elko's words could become a major talking point if the Aggies (8-2, 5-1 SEC) fail to defeat the Tigers (4-6, 1-5). A win is crucial for Texas A&M to keep their playoff hopes alive, as they currently sit just outside the top 4 teams.

Freshman quarterback Marcel Reed understands the gravity of the situation and knows that every game from here on out is crucial. He emphasized the importance of treating the Auburn game as the biggest game of the year and continuing to win in order to achieve their goals.

In their last game, the Aggies dominated with a 38-3 victory over New Mexico State. Reed had a season-high 268 passing yards and two touchdowns, while defensive end Nic Scourton continued to impress with 14 tackles for loss and five sacks on the season.

On the other hand, Auburn (4-6, 1-5) has no playoff scenarios to consider as they try to avoid a fourth consecutive losing season. They will face a tough challenge against Texas A&M before closing out their regular season against Alabama on November 30th.

Running back Jarquez Hunter will be a key player for the Tigers, as he had 102 yards in their last game against Louisiana-Monroe. This pushed his season total to 1,015 yards and he currently ranks sixth in Auburn history with 3,185 career rushing yards. Quarterback Payton Thorpe also had a standout performance with five touchdown passes, including three to receiver Cam Coleman.

Auburn's defense, led by Keldric Faulk and Jalen McLeod, has been solid this season and is tied for 18th in scoring defense, allowing just 18.7 points per game. However, they will face a tough challenge against a potent Texas A&M offense.

Last season, the Aggies defeated the Tigers 27-10 at home. They will look to continue their success against Auburn and keep their playoff hopes alive.

PREDICTION

Texas A&M Aggies

Auburn Tigers

Texas A&M Aggies vs. Auburn Tigers Recap NOV 12TH 2022

Auburn's Jarquez Hunter and Tank Bigsby each rushed for 121 yards -- combining for more yards than Texas A&M had in total offense -- in a 13-10 victory Saturday that gave the visiting Aggies their first six-game losing streak in 50 years.

Hunter had 23 carries and Bigsby rushed 13 times in the combined 242-yard effort. Texas A&M, which last lost six straight games in the 1972 season, amassed just 215 yards overall.

Auburn (4-6, 2-5 SEC) won its first game under interim coach Cadillac Williams and snapped a five-game losing streak.

Texas A&M (3-7, 1-6) started to produce on offense late in the fourth quarter, leading to Conner Weigman's 17-yard touchdown pass to Jalen Preston with 1:33 left.

The 80-yard scoring drive on seven plays took 1:24, but Texas A&M's onside kick attempt failed and Auburn ran out the clock.

The Aggies punted on their first nine possessions of the game.

Weigman, who had 13 straight incompletions at one point, finished 14 of 36 for 121 yards. He ended his incompletion streak with a pass to Amari Daniels that resulted in a 3-yard loss.

Auburn took a 7-0 lead with 1:33 left in the first quarter on Jake Johnson's 16-yard reception on a pass from Robby Ashford. The scoring drive (four plays, 62 yards) was aided by Bigsby's 39-yard run, which preceded Ashford's TD pass.

Alex McPherson, who missed a 54-yard field goal early in the third quarter, made a 34-yarder with 39 seconds left in the quarter to increase the lead to 10-0.

Texas A&M, which did not get past the Auburn 39 until the fourth quarter, started with its best field position after Edgerrin Cooper intercepted a pass by Ashford at the Tigers 39 with 12:40 remaining.

Weigman completed consecutive passes to set up Randy Bond's 48-yard field goal that cut the lead to 10-3 with 10:48 left.

Texas A&M's first turnover, a fumble by Weigman on a sack by Colby Wooden, resulted in Auburn getting the ball at the Aggies 32 with 5:34 left. That led McPherson's 26-yard field goal with 3:02 remaining that increased the lead to 13-3.