Florida @ Auburn preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 29, 2007 ) Auburn 20, Florida 17

THE STORY: Two of the nation's most successful programs over the past decade meet for the first time since 2007 when No. 24 Auburn hosts SEC rival Florida on Saturday. Both teams are coming off lopsided road losses. The Gators dropped a 41-11 decision at LSU last weekend, while the defending national champion Tigers suffered a 38-14 setback at Arkansas.

TV: ESPN. LINE: None.

ABOUT FLORIDA (4-2, 2-2 SEC): The Gators coasted to a 4-0 start before being crushed on consecutive weekends by No. 3 Alabama (38-10) and No. 2 LSU. Florida has struggled without QB John Brantley, who suffered a knee injury late in the first half against the Crimson Tide. His replacement, freshman Jacoby Brissett, was 8-of-14 passing against LSU for 94 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Either Brissett or fellow rookie Jeff Driskel will start Saturday. The Gators are still 11th nationally in total defense (291.0 ypg).

ABOUT AUBURN (4-2, 2-1 SEC): The Tigers' hopes of repeating were quickly dashed with losses at Clemson and Arkansas, but they remain dangerous largely because of sophomore RB Michael Dyer, who ranks third in the SEC and 16th nationally with 679 yards (113.2 per game) and eight touchdowns. Defensively, Auburn has struggled to get off the field. Opponents have converted 48 of 95 third-down attempts (50.5 percent) and six of seven fourth downs.

EXTRA POINTS

1. At least one of these schools has been nationally ranked entering 35 of the last 40 meetings, with the lower-ranked or unranked team winning 16 of those 35 contests.

2. Auburn has won three of the last four meetings following Florida's six-game win streak in the series.

3. Florida averages 9.17 penalties per game, second-most among FBS schools. Its 55 total flags are tops in the nation.

PREDICTION: Auburn 27, Florida 17 -- Even against a suspect Auburn defense, the Gators' freefall is likely to continue without Brantley in a tough road environment.