Sept. 18, 2017
By Greg Ostendorf
AuburnTigers.com
AUBURN, Ala. ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" If there's a little extra pep in Auburn's step at practice this week, it's because the Tigers begin SEC play on Saturday. An early-season loss to Clemson has no effect on this team's chances of winning the division and eventually playing for a conference championship.
"There's a lot more motivation," safety Tray Matthews said after Saturday's win over Mercer. "It shouldn't be because we're always held to a higher standard, but I know everybody will be fired up because the fun really starts now."
"We're excited," added quarterback Jarrett Stidham. "Obviously, we're about to go on a long run with all the SEC teams, so it's going to be a challenge each week. Our defense, they're playing lights out. Hats off to them. They're truly a great defense. I know offensively, we just want to help a little bit more ÃÆ'Æ'¢ÃƒÆ'¢'¬" obviously with turnovers and what not.
"But I know offensively, defensively, special teams, we're really excited for this stretch we're about to get into."
That stretch begins Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT (ESPNU) when Auburn plays at Missouri. It will be the program's first trip to Columbia, and though no team wants to open conference play on the road, it helps that this Auburn team has already played on the road this season. Yes, it was a loss to the defending champs, but the Tigers might not see a more hostile environment than what they saw at Clemson in Week 2.
Auburn offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey talked to his players about that Sunday.
"I think that's a positive," Lindsey said. "We've already been in a hostile atmosphere. We've played one of the best teams in the country and lost by a touchdown. So hopefully that will help us when we get to Missouri and handle all the different things that you have to deal with on the road."
The offense will look to improve on Saturday's performance, specifically in terms of the five turnovers. However, there were plenty of positives to take away from the game, including Stidham's career day and Kamryn Pettway's three touchdowns.
The Auburn defense put together another stellar effort against Mercer, and through the first three weeks of the season, the Tigers are ranked No. 2 nationally in total defense. They have allowed 605 yards of total offense, the fewest Auburn has allowed in the first three games of a season since 1974.
However, the defense will have its hands full with Missouri quarterback Drew Lock. The senior finished among the SEC leaders last year in passing yards (3,399) and touchdowns (23).
"He has a real strong arm," Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said. "He can throw it from hash mark to the outcut across the field, so he's got a really strong arm. He throws a deep ball a long way, and he's accurate with it."
Prior to the past two years, Auburn has gotten off to a fast start in SEC play, winning six of its seven league openers from 2008 to 2014. Gus Malzahn's group is hoping to revert back to those winning ways and get off on the right foot against Missouri this weekend.
Greg Ostendorf is a Staff Writer for AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @greg_ostendorf