GDT: Tigers @ Auburn -- 6:45 -- SECN

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Well, here we are at the first road game of the season. And the Tigers stand at 5-1, which I think most realistic fans would have been happy with. Preseason, many on this forum were thinking SC and maybe even KU could be problematic with their dual threat QBs. The Tigers took away the running threat of both and came away with victories.

Now they will face a former 5* QB in Jackson Arnold. who is proving to be a much better runner than a passer. But Auburn does have quality at WR, especially in Cam Coleman, who is a beast. They can test a secondary. Can Arnold get them the ball? We shall see. Based on what we've seen of the Tigers' D so far, I think they should be able to contain Arnold's running game. Jacobs is a very good spy. And Trotter as well.

So here are the keys as I see them:

1. Especially critical on the road is good defense because the crowd has no impact there. The stout run defense has to be there again, forcing Arnold to throw. And that's where the pass rush comes in. It was great last week, sacking Simpson 4 times and pressuring him often. And Auburn's line looks to be leakier than Bama's. It allowed 10 sacks vs. OU.

2. Get back to the run game on offense, though it will be tested by an Auburn defense that basically stonewalled UGA's running game last week. So on 3rd downs, the offense is going to have to make more conversions than last week, when it was 1-10 on 3rd down. And Pribula has to make better decisions and be more accurate. He had 2 INTs last week and easily could have bad 3 if Bama hadn't dropped one. Gotta win the TO battle.

3. Special teams must perform. The punting was lousy last week. And Meyer must come through on any FG attempts. And wouldn't it be nice to finally get a TD on a punt or kickoff return?

4. Moore must do a better job than last week. He gave up on the run far too quickly against a Bama team that's not exactly special against it. This will be an interesting test for him because it's the best run defense they have faced to date. Does he try passing to open up the run? Or just try to impose the Tigers' will in the run game. We shall see.

5. Penalties, especially pre-snap false starts amid crowd noise, must be very limited. And, of course, the kind of dead ball taunting penalty we saw last week must be eliminated. Personal fouls as well. Can't give a heretofore struggling offense any breaks.

Our Tigers are -1.5, according to ESPN, and the weather is supposed to be party cloudy and 77 at game time.

MIZ!

[winonsports]

In a typical 'echo chamber' mode which is the weekly GDT, the OP makes it sound like all Auburn has to do is show up to get their first SEC win.

And it's Mizzou who must be on top of their game in all three phases just to have a chance

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I hate waiting for these night games! Except when they're at home.

[cardinalsfever44]

Secondary sucking already on drive 1.

[edwin drood]

Rule in bounds, then replay says no, so Pass Interference.. Is this an omen?

[Whatashame]

The SEC screw job begins. 4th and 2, the pass caught out of bounds BUT PI called to give Auburn the first down instead of the turnover on downs. Shocker!!

[Lightning Rod]

Everyone got their cup on?

[rezero]

Defense seems very flat to start the game

[cardinalsfever44]

Everyone got their cup on?

Always. We're Mizzou fans.

[11WSChamps]

[nonsense] interference call.

Didn't even show a replay.

[11WSChamps]

Great start.

[cardinalsfever44]

Well, the defense didn't show up on the 1st drive. Will the offense have life today?

[Whatashame]

Initially called a catch by one of the officials. It wasn’t close.

[Lightning Rod]

Tigers ready to play, 12 on the field. Sheez!

[rezero]

Jesus, Mizzou looks rough during the drive, then the 12 men on the field. Doesn’t look like Drink has his team ready to play. Feels like a let down game after the Bama game.

[cardinalsfever44]

Initially called a catch by one of the officials. It wasn’t close.

Haha. Exactly. He was out of bounds by a good 3-4 feet. The SEC clearly wants Auburn back in the mix.