Texas A&M @ Auburn preview

After committing five turnovers in a heartbreaking loss to LSU, No. 21 Texas A&M brings its explosive offense to Auburn to face the reeling Tigers on Saturday. Dazzling freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel (14 passing touchdowns, 10 rushing TDs) should bounce back after being forced to throw 56 times and getting picked off three times by LSU. Auburn is off to its worst start in 60 years and ranks 121st nationally in scoring (15.7).

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPNU. LINE: Texas A&M -14

ABOUT TEXAS A&M (5-2, 2-2 SEC): The Aggies are making their first visit to Jordan-Hare Stadium. Texas A&M is one of only three teams that ranks in the top 20 nationally in rushing, passing, total offense and points. Defensive end Damontre Moore averages 1.36 sacks, more than 24 teams. He leads the nation with 2.43 tackles for loss per game and leads all defensive linemen with 8.9 tackles per game. Texas A&M’s only losses have come to a pair of top 10 teams (Florida, LSU) by a total of eight points.

ABOUT AUBURN (1-6, 0-5): It is unclear whether Clint Moseley or Kiehl Frazier will start at quarterback, but neither has been able to move the offense. Auburn quarterbacks have combined to throw four touchdowns and 11 interceptions this year, with one of those scoring passes coming from wide receiver Quan Bray on a trick play. Sophomore running back Tre Mason is by far Auburn’s most effective weapon. He averages 5.1 yards per carry and has run for three touchdowns in the past two games. But coaches have given him 20 carries only once this season. The buyout for coach Gene Chizik is $7.5 million, and most fans are clamoring for the administration to pay it.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Coach Kevin Sumlin’s teams at Houston and Texas A&M have won nine straight games away from home, including three this season.

2. Auburn TE Philip Lutzenkirchen (hip) and RT Avery Young (undisclosed injury) are out for the year.

3. Auburn started 12 freshmen and sophomores in its loss at Vanderbilt last week, and a similar number of youngsters are expected to start Saturday.

PREDICTION: Texas A&M 31, Auburn 13