two for one

[aubiefifty 18,236]

5 reasons why Auburn will beat Penn State

Sam Dehring

Fri, September 17, 2021, 3:11 PM

Auburn heads to State College tomorrow to take on the Penn State Nittany Lions. This is a matchup that has been hyped up all week. Will Penn State defeat Auburn in an electric Beaver Stadium? Nonsense. Auburn is a team that not a lot of people take seriously.

Here are the top five reasons why the Auburn Tigers will beat the Penn State Nittany Lions.

 

Bo Nix

Bo Nix is a top seven quarterback in passing efficiency through the first two games of this season. Despite the lack of competition, he comes in with tons of momentum leaning his way. Nix has had productive games against Power Five schools. This will be another one. He has even defeated Alabama in his first year with the Auburn Tigers. Penn State might not be Alabama, but they are competition that Nix is capable of staying consistent and leading Auburn to an upset over a top 10 team in the country.

Auburn Tigers quarterback Bo Nix (10) throws the ball during warm ups at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 4, 2021.

Tank Bigsby

When people think of the Auburn Tigers, the two players that come to mind are Bo Nix and perhaps one of the best running backs in college football right now in Tank Bigsby. Bigsby is off to a strong start through the first two weeks of the season. He is an absolute power back that is capable of changing the offense. Penn State’s defense well most certainly have their work cut out for them. Expect a big work load from Bigsby in tomorrow’s game.

Auburn Tigers running back Tank Bigsby (4) runs the ball at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Auburn Tigers leads Alabama State Hornets 20-0 at halftime.

Auburn’s Passing Game

Now, this will be a key component to watch in tomorrow’s game. Not only is it going to be important, but it also might be one of the most crucial factors in this game for Auburn. We know how strong of a secondary Penn State has. If guys like Demetris Robertson and Shedrick Johnson can be productive tomorrow in the passing game, that could be a huge momentum shift for the rest of the offense.

Auburn Tigers wide receiver Demetris Robertson (0) runs the ball after a catch at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. Auburn Tigers leads Alabama State Hornets 20-0 at halftime.

Auburn Secondary

This could very well be a game where we see much more of the run from both teams. Penn State has a strong secondary that has been elite the first two weeks of the season. Auburn’s has been the same. They are not as strong as Penn State’s at all, but they are still capable of preventing the deep ball.

Auburn safety Smoke Monday (21) celebrates after making a quick stop during Auburn football A-Day spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, April 17, 2021.

Auburn Rushing Defense

The Auburn Tigers have one of the best from defenses in college football right now. Through the first two weeks, we saw multiple running backs featured in Penn State’s backfield. However, not a single one is Tank Bigsby. They certainly have a talented room, but it will be tough to be consistently productive throughout the game. Will the Auburn Tigers pull off the upset in Happy Valley? If they can execute these five crucial factors efficiently, they will have a strong chance at winning this game.

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Penn State faces Auburn, looking for 7th straight win

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Alabama St Auburn Football

Auburn quarterback Bo Nix (10) carries the ball as Alabama State linebacker Jake Howard (46) pursues during the first half of an NCAA football game Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

The Associated Press

Thu, September 16, 2021, 12:10 PM

No. 22 Auburn (2-0) at No. 10 Penn State (2-0), Saturday at 7:30 p.m. EDT (ABC).

Line: Penn State by 5 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

 

Series record: Tied 1-1.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Both teams will look for early bragging rights in the first game of a home-and-home matchup that also could serve as a resume builder for both squads. The Nittany Lions are playing for their seventh straight win while Auburn looks for its third straight in a rare visit to a Big Ten stadium.

KEY MATCHUP

Auburn’s running game vs. Penn State’s front seven. The Tigers have a pair of backs who have carved up their first two opponents and could be the key to quieting a raucous crowd. Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter have combined for 43 carries, 531 yards and four touchdowns. They’re running behind a physical offensive line anchored by four seniors.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Auburn: QB Bo Nix. This could be the loudest venue the veteran QB has ever played in and he’ll be doing so against a defense that’s already intercepted four passes. Penn State’s secondary is loaded with handsy players so Nix’s accuracy will need to be on point.

Penn State LB/DE Jesse Luketa: The linebacker-turned-defensive end has wowed coaches and teammates with his ability to effortlessly switch positions when needed to fortify Penn State’s front. His tackling skills will come in handy against Auburn’s multi-headed rushing attack.

FACTS & FIGURES

Auburn hasn’t played a road Big Ten game since 1931. … The only two meetings in the series have come in bowl games. Penn State won the 1996 Outback Bowl and Auburn won the Capital One Bowl in 2002. … Auburn’s 1,151 yards of total offense are the most in program history to start a season and its 122 points are the fourth-most in an opening two-game span. … Penn State is 23-23 against the SEC. Auburn is 12-10-2 against the Big Ten. … This will be Penn State’s 13th full-stadium whiteout — where fans are encouraged to wear all white.

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[aubiefifty 18,236]

thirteen is my lucky number. it always has been. the 13th whiteout. is this a sign? we shall find out!