Keys to the Game | A&M vs. Auburn

An Answer for Auburn's Rush Attack

The Tigers bring a potent rushing attack into College Station this weekend. Auburn currently averages over 280 rushing yards per game. Last week, Auburn rushed for 467 yards in their win over Kent State. Four players rushed for over 100 yards in the contest. Auburn throws a lot at you in terms of their rushing attack, and the Auburn offensive line will enter Saturday's SEC opener with plenty of confidence. JaTarvious Whitlow has carried the bulk of the load for the Tigers, rushing for 341 yards (113.7 per game) and three scores. Joey Gatewood also has three rushing scores for the Tigers. 

Texas A&M has been equally impressive in stopping the run. Opponents have averaged less than 90 yards per game so far this year. After holding Texas State to just eight rushing yards in the opening game of the season, the Aggies limited Clemson's Travis Etienne to 53 yards on 16 attempts. Texas A&M has size, physicality and depth up front. Can they limit Auburn's ground attack?  
 
Coach Fisher Quote: "It's gonna be physical in the trenches on both sides. That's gonna be a physical, knock'em, rock'em, sock'em game. It's gonna be who can help control that part. We're gonna have to be able to play the run and then the quarterback run, plus play their fly sweeps and all those things and keep the edges and keep what can weaken you inside. They do a great job of those things so it's gonna be a huge challenge for our defense because of what they do. Gus does a tremendous job on offense and how they do it. We're going to have to be physical up front and take on blockers and we'll have to defeat blockers, there's no doubt."
   

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Find the Run Game Against the Auburn D

Auburn has a physical and fast defense. That's nothing new. The Tigers allow right at 100 rushing yards per game. Marlon Davidson leads the way on a talented defensive front. Davidson was the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week in each of the past two weeks. He has 14 tackles on the season, plus a team-best 4.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. The A&M offensive line will have its hands full on Saturday, but finding a balanced offense will be key. The Aggies rushed for 246 yards against Texas State and 223 yards against Lamar. It was a struggle against Clemson's defense in week two, however, as A&M rushed for 53 yards on 27 attempts. Can the maroon goons set the physical tone on Saturday and keep the Auburn defense off balance? 
 
Coach Fisher Quote: "Well, we've ran the ball, moved the ball, there's things in the Clemson game we did extremely well, had some missed assignments or miscommunications on blocks...and what I see daily about who we're blocking. We have a very good front too. And our guys block our guys and move the football and do the things they do. Listen, they're gonna win their battles, we have to win our share of 'em and we're gonna have to be very tough in what we do because they're big, physical, and then how they fit. It's gonna be one heck of a battle."  
   

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A Freshman QB Comes to Town

Bo Nix started 2019 in a big way, as he led the Tigers to a thrilling 27-21 win over Oregon in the opening week of the season. Nix's 26-yard touchdown pass to Seth Williams gave the Tigers the lead with just nine seconds remaining in the contest. Since then, the Tigers have had a relatively easy time against Tulane (24-6) and Kent State (55-16). 

Nix is 44-for-82 through the air for 545 yards and four touchdowns in his first three collegiate games. His passing numbers haven't been flashy. Keep in mind, however, that the Auburn passing game hasn't been needed all that much. Rushing for over 280 yards per game will certainly take the pressure off of a young quarterback, and Nix has had that luxury so far in 2019.

Nix made plays with his arm and his legs against Oregon, though, and his completion percentage has continued to rise each week. He also showed some real maturity and toughness in leading his team to the win over the Ducks. That game was at a neutral site, however, and certainly not in front of over 100,000 at Kyle Field. Saturday should be a different kind of test for the freshman. Can the Aggies make Nix uncomfortable? Will the noise and pressure of his first SEC game impact the young quarterback?   
 
Coach Fisher Quote: "Listen, their quarterback Bo Nix is an outstanding young man. I've known Bo for a long time. His father played for me and was one heck of a football player, and not only that is a competitor and as a football mind one of the best I've ever been associated with. His dad's a winner, boy. He's a great coach, coached in college, coached in high school, so he'll have a lot of intangibles in his blood that you know some other freshmen may not from just the experiences of being around those things. So it's obviously a tough test but we have to prepare no matter what they do with him. He's an outstanding player and he can beat you...he has a great arm, he's got great legs and he's a very tough, competitive and smart young man. Hopefully we can play well against him."
 

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Create Separation 

The Aggies have been searching for more big plays. There were missed opportunities on the road at Clemson. A&M hopes to flip the script on Saturday against another solid defense. The Aggies want to be balanced, but the receiving corps is fully capable of taking games over. Coach Fisher talked about the struggle to create separation at Auburn last season. The Tigers will mix it up defensively and are solid at every level. While it will be a major test, A&M receivers are due for a big performance against a top defense. 

Coach Fisher Quote: "They're one of the best defensive fronts as there probably is in college football. Their front is big, physical, strong. Linebackers are active. Play a lot of mixed coverages in the secondary. Mix up man, mix up zone, very aggressive. Don't create a lot of separation. I remember last year over there getting separation was tough. These guys come and then they rush you, make the ball come out and don't have to cover as long. They're a really good group." 

 

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Finish the Drives

Both Texas A&M and Auburn have found success putting drives together and creating opportunities in the red zone. Turning those opportunities into touchdowns has been a bit of a challenge. A&M has 11 touchdowns in 19 trips to the red zone, while Auburn has nine touchdowns in 16 opportunities. A&M and Auburn have two of the top defenses in the conference. Auburn has only allowed nine red zone chances through the first three games. A&M has allowed just five trips to the red zone. With opportunities being at a premium, finishing those opportunities with touchdowns will be vital. 

Coach Fisher Quote: "Turnovers and big plays determine outcomes of games as much as anything anymore. You have third down efficiency, red zone efficiency, then turnovers and big plays are huge."