No. Auburn (2-0) at No.10 Penn State (2-0)

[aubiefifty 17,487]

No. Auburn (2-0) at No.10 Penn State (2-0)

When: 6:30 p.m., Sat.

Where: Beaver Stadium, University Park, Pa.

TV: ABC

Series: Tied 1-1.

Spread: Penn State by 6.

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK: Auburn leads the country in scoring offense (61 points per game). The Tigers are also tied for the lead in scoring defense (5.0 ppg). Not bad for exhibition season.

SUPER STAT OF THE WEEK II: Penn State is 23-23 all-time against SEC opponents and 6-6 in so-called “White Out” games.

Joe says: The real season begins here for Auburn, which remains an unknown despite scoring over 60 points in each of its first two games. Bo Nix’s career struggles on the road aren’t a secret, so how he handles the pressure in Beaver Stadium will shed some light on his development as a quarterback under new coach Bryan Harsin. Nix has a lot to prove, but I’ll take Auburn’s backfield in the White Out. Tank is a mean runner, and freshman running back Jarquez Hunter looks like an early candidate for SEC Freshman of the Year. PSU quarterback Sean Clifford could struggle against Auburn’s defense, and especially if trailing in the second half. Low expectations early have helped Auburn in the past.

Joe’s pick: Auburn 28, Penn State 25

Pro says: Tigers quarterback Bo Nix doesn’t have an edge over many passers of Top 10 teams but he does in this matchup vs 10th ranked Penn State. He’s gone against the best of the best in Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Florida in his first two years. People think of the Nittany Lions and their White Outs as this great home team. They rarely step up at home, going just 3-8 against the spread in the last 11 home games. Bo Nix out-duels Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford and gets a signature win.

Pro’s pick: Auburn 24, Penn State 21

Hero says: Auburn has cruised through it’s preseason schedule and now faces a rejuvenated Penn State team in State College, Pa. This is a great measuring stick for two teams that hope to compete for their conference championships. Penn State has been led so far by their defense, but they have given up over 200 yards a game on the ground so Auburn’s strong running game will be a challenge for them. Auburn’s defense has looked dominant so far but they face their first real test with Penn State’s balanced attack. Given the excitement of GameDay and a White Out in State College I have to give the edge to the Nittany Lions in a hard fought game.