Georgia Southern @ Auburn preview

Auburn kicks off the season Saturday night at home against Georgia Southern, and it appears the No. 13-ranked Tigers have found themselves a solid No. 1 quarterback as they look to challenge Alabama in the SEC West. Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham has been named the starter for the season opener, and he will be backed by an experienced duo of game-changing running backs in Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson.

Stidham passed for 12 touchdowns in limited action for the Bears two seasons ago, one more than Auburn’s top three quarterbacks combined for last season. “I think everybody’s ready,” Stidham told reporters last weekend. “We’re excited to get out there against another team and see what we can do.” Saturday’s opener will give the Tigers an opportunity to see Stidham under game conditions, an important step considering a trip to fifth-ranked Clemson awaits next week. Georgia Southern has proven to be a difficult opponent for Power 5 schools in recent seasons, upending Florida in 2013 while losing in overtime to Georgia in 2015.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Auburn -35

ABOUT GEORGIA SOUTHERN (2016: 5-7, 4-4 Sun Belt): The Eagles start coach Tyson Summers’ second season with just eight seniors on their roster and lost six starters on offense and defense from last year. Redshirt freshman Shai Werts will start the season opener and direct Georgia Southern’s triple-option offense, while Wesley Fields (512 yards, three touchdowns last year) is the top returning running back. The Eagles are 21-1 since 2014 when rushing for 300 yards or more.

ABOUT AUBURN (2016: 8-5, 5-3 SEC): Stidham will have plenty of support in running backs Pettway (1,224 yards, seven touchdowns last season) and Johnson (11 touchdowns, 895 yards), and new offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey hopes to improve a red-zone offense that ranked 97th nationally. The Tigers’ defense was one of the better units in the country last season until melting down late in the campaign, allowing a combined 65 points in losses to Alabama and Oklahoma. Seven starters return for a unit that surrendered just 17.1 points per game a season ago.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Auburn QB Sean White, whose 63.9 percent completion rate led the SEC last season, will serve as Stidham’s backup after recovering from an arm injury.

2. Auburn K Daniel Carlson is fourth in SEC history in field-goal percentage (83.1 percent) and has converted a school-record eight field goals of 50-plus yards.

3. The Eagles are 1-5 against SEC or ACC schools the past four seasons, losing by no more than 11 points.

PREDICTION: Auburn 37, Georgia Southern 10