The Auburn Tigers are bringing a three-game winning streak with them back to Jordan-Hare Stadium to take on the 8-3 New Mexico State Aggies.
This New Mexico State team is no joke, as they bring a six-game winning streak with them to the Plains.
Let's take a look at five reasons the Auburn Tigers could struggle against the New Mexico State Aggies.
New Mexico State has a really good quarterback
New Mexico State's quarterback Diego Pavia is really good. He is day-to-day with an injury, so his status for this game is in the air, but if he does play, watch out. The junior quarterback can do it with his legs and his arm, making him so dangerous. If Pavia is able to give it a go on Saturday, the Auburn Tigers need to be ready because if he has a big game, there could be a scare in Jordan-Hare.
Auburn turns the football over
One way a team like New Mexico State could hang around in this ball game is if Auburn turns the football over. Even during Payton Thorne's success over the past few weeks, he has still been turning the football over. A mistake like the one Thorne made against Vandy could really hurt in this game if the Tigers aren't having a great offensive game. If Auburn takes care of the football, they will win this game big.
The Aggies spread the ball to different targets through the air
New Mexico State loves to spread the ball out through the air. The Aggies have eight players with 100 or more receiving yards and four players with 200 or more yards. This means Auburn's secondary needs to be ready for every pass catcher on the field for New Mexico State to be targeted. If the Aggies have a big day through the air, it could be a stressful day for Auburn fans.
Aggies run the football well
New Mexico State has four players with 50 or more carries on the season, which means they like to keep their backs fresh. Also, the quarterback Pavia has carried the football 126 times this season for 703 yards and five touchdowns. The Tigers need to be ready for the Aggies to try and establish the run, and they need to have a spy watching Pavia, assuming he is healthy enough to give it a go. If the Aggies run the rock well and drain the clock, this game could be tight.
Auburn looks on to the next one
All Auburn fans know what football game is coming up next week. The players need to make sure that their focus is staying on this football game and not the one next week. Coach Freeze and his players have done a really good job of that this season, but this needs to continue this week against the Aggies. If you look to next week, New Mexico State might make this a football game.
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