Auburn @ Texas A&M preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 17, 2016 ) Texas A&M 29, Auburn 16

Auburn has the distinction of being the highest-ranked two-loss team in the country - but it can ill afford another defeat as it visits Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon in a pivotal SEC showdown. The No. 14 Tigers improved their chances of a spot in the New Year's Six bowl series with a 52-20 win over Arkansas two weeks ago, and will look to dispatch the Aggies in preparation for a showdown at home with No. 1 Georgia the following week.

Auburn is a perfect 6-0 coming off open weeks under coach Gus Malzahn. "The thing that I like right now is we're healthier and we had an off week to get a little fresher," Malzahn told reporters Tuesday. "(During an open date you) look at your team and either break tendencies or build around strengths. The bottom line is the players and the players respond and do what they're asked to do." The Aggies are reeling after getting stomped 35-14 last week by Mississippi State - a game that brought back memories of that 45-44 season-opening loss to UCLA in which Texas A&M squandered a 34-point lead. "I think (our players have) shown a resiliency before," coach Kevin Sumlin said following the loss to the Bulldogs. "I think they've shown toughness before. I think they've shown the ability to finish before. Nobody in that locker room Saturday night was happy."

TV: Noon ET, ESPN. LINE: Auburn -15.

ABOUT AUBURN (6-2, 4-1 SEC): A difficult season has become even more so for Tigers running back Kamryn Pettway, who is expected to be out for an extended period with a fractured scapula suffered in the victory over the Razorbacks. Pettway was looking to build on last season's 1,224-yard, seven-touchdown breakout campaign but has appeared in just five games so far this season - and had five or fewer carries in two of them. Kerryon Johnson has carried the load in Pettway's absence, racking up 723 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in six games as the lead back.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (5-3, 3-2): Aggies quarterback Nick Starkel made his first appearance since suffering a fractured ankle in the season opener, going 8-of-15 for 133 yards with a touchdown and an interception in relief of an ineffective Kellen Mond. However, Sumlin wouldn't commit to a depth chart change against Auburn. "We're not opening up the (quarterback) competition right now. Nick Starkel made some plays, but there were some issues, as well. He made a couple mistakes and a couple really nice throws. There's some rust on him right now. The situation will remain the same," Sumlin told reporters Tuesday.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The road team has won all five meetings since Texas A&M joined the SEC in 2012.

2. Auburn is one of three FBS teams averaging more than 220 passing and 220 rushing yards per game.

3. The Aggies' 52.4-percent completion rate ranks 112th in the nation.

PREDICTION: Auburn 38, Texas A&M 24