Auburn vs Penn State Preview. On Saturday afternoon, Auburn will face the #22-ranked Nittany Lions. Let’s discuss the Tigers’ game against Penn State and what they must do to avenge their defeat there from the previous season.
The Auburn Offense
The Tigers’ primary offensive focus will be running the ball. Auburn has always been a run-first offense, as previously stated. Tank Bigsby is Auburn’s best option for running the ball against a strong Penn State defense if they want to do so. The Nittany Lions will be the toughest test yet for the Auburn ground game because they have allowed 3.35 yards per carry through two games. Last year, Bigsby had a good performance against them, rushing for 102 yards and two touchdowns. He must play well, along with the offensive line and Robby Ashford, for Auburn to be effective offensively. This season, the Tigers’ quarterback has played below average.
In his last two contests, TJ Finley has committed more turnovers than passing touchdowns. Finley must perform well enough to convince Penn State’s front seven to abandon the run game. The top defensive performer for Penn State is Joey Porter. The corner has already made nine tackles, recovered a fumble, and broken up six passes. They must watch out for Porter, who will be trying to create a turnover for the Penn State offense, as Auburn’s quarterbacks have had trouble keeping the ball safe this season, throwing four interceptions to just one touchdown. Protecting the ball will be a key factor for the Auburn offense.
The Auburn Defense
In both games they have played, Auburn’s defense has given up 16 points. The Penn State offense is a more significant threat than the offenses of Mercer and San Jose State. QB Sean Clifford torched the Auburn secondary for nearly 300 yards and three touchdowns last season. The priority of the defense has to be applying pressure on Clifford, making him feel under pressure, and waiting to see if he makes a costly mistake. Freshman Nicholas Singleton, who had a strong opening game debut against the Ohio Bobcats, is the quarterback of Penn State’s rushing attack. He is the Nittany Lions’ top rusher and the biggest threat to break through the Tigers’ defense. Based on the first two games, Auburn’s rush defense should be handled. The Tigers’ defense will need to exert pressure to support the inexperienced secondary, though, as the secondary is a bit of a struggle.
The Total Breakdown
Even though Auburn’s offense has struggled through the first two weeks of the season, everything will be forgiven if the Tigers perform well against the Penn State Nittany Lions on Saturday. As their first significant test of the year, the Tigers will take on Penn State at home as 3-point underdogs. The outcome of the game will, however, depend largely on how well Auburn’s offense plays against their defense. The game was undoubtedly impacted by Penn State’s White Out from the previous season. The Orange Out counter at Auburn is anticipated to have a similar impact. This is Jordan-first Hare’s significant game of the year, and if the offense can find some success, the crowd’s influence—which it always does—will be felt. This could mean the difference between Auburn winning and losing because these two teams are so evenly matched.
Auburn’s Keys to Success
Auburn’s Keys to Success:
- Applying pressure on Sean Clifford and making him uncomfortable
- Getting Tank Bigsby and the run game going
- Win the turnover battle, two weeks in a row Auburn has lost the turnover battle and they can’t afford that against this Penn State team
- Limit the big plays and keep everything in front
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