Auburn @ Texas A&M preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 8, 2014 ) Texas A&M 41, Auburn 38

Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said freshman Kyler Murray will start at quarterback when the No. 24 Aggies host Auburn on Saturday, telling reporters: “He’s got talent. I think everyone can see that.” Murray threw for one touchdown and ran for another while totaling 156 yards on the ground in his first career start - a 35-28 victory over South Carolina last week - and adds an extra challenge for a struggling Tigers' defense which allows 34 points per SEC game.

"His ability to get to the perimeter certainly didn't hurt us at all, and maybe loosened up some things inside,'' Sumlin told reporters. "But Auburn sees that all the time in practice.'' The Tigers were No. 7 in the preseason USA Today Top 25 Coaches Poll, but find themselves needing to win three of their last four games to become bowl eligible after dropping two straight - the latest a 27-19 setback to No. 19 Ole Miss last week. Auburn redshirt freshman quarterback Sean White continues to battle a left knee injury, but is expected to play Saturday. Tigers sophomore defensive end Carl Lawson returned to action last week for the first time since injuring his hip in the season opener and is expected to make more of an impact as he returns to game shape.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Texas A&M -7

ABOUT AUBURN (4-4, 1-4 SEC): Running back Peyton Barber (787 yards, 12 touchdowns) is also expected to play, but gained only 17 yards on eight carries last week while dealing with an undisclosed injury. If the sophomore remains limited, it appears junior Jovon Robinson (18 carries, 91 yards versus Ole Miss) will again carry the load. White has thrown for more than 250 yards in three straight games, the first Tiger to do so since Dameyune Craig in 1997.

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (6-2, 3-2): Murray is already the team's second leading rusher with 248 yards behind senior Tra Carson (646 yards, five touchdowns).
Sophomore defensive lineman Myles Garrett is tied for second in the country with 10.5 sacks and has also recorded seven quarterback hurries and forced five fumbles.
Freshman wide receiver Christian Kirk has team highs of 47 catches for 662 yards and shares the team lead of four receiving scores with junior Josh Reynolds.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Auburn K Daniel Carlson has five 50-plus yard field goals in his last eight games, one more than all Tigers kickers combined over the last 150 contests.

2. Kirk also averages 22.7 yards on punt returns with two touchdowns and 21.0 on kickoffs.

3. Texas A&M leads the series 4-1 and has won two of three meetings - including 41-38 last season - since joining the SEC in 2012.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 34, Auburn 24