AUBURN, Ala. – For every SEC opponent save one, stopping the run ranks as Auburn's top defensive priority. Against Mississippi State, there's not much of a run to stop. Under first-year head coach Mike Leach, the Bulldogs are pass first, pass second, maybe run third.
Next Game:
Mississippi State
12/12/2020
6:30 PM
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
State attempts nearly 55 passes per game on average while averaging 16.3 rushes, a more than 3:1 ratio of passes to runs. The Bulldogs average 23.75 rushing yards per game, last in the SEC by 86 yards. State ranks No. 4 in the SEC in passing, averaging 324 yards per game.
"It's pretty unique compared to the teams we've seen, a very unique and different approach to [rely on the passing game] to open up the run," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "They present challenges, no doubt. They are protective of the football and I think that's been a big factor. Each game unfolds a bit differently, but obviously they throw it and throw it and you need as many DBs as you can get."
The Tigers rank sixth in the SEC in rushing, averaging 167 yards per game, 50 more than Mississippi State allows on average per game.
"We need to run the football effectively," Malzahn said. "Like I said last week, I think we did a really solid job against the No. 1 defense in the league. We just didn't have a lot of possessions. It's going to be similar. We've got to earn it. We're going to have to earn the rushing yards. Bo (Nix) being a part of the running game, I've said this before, it opens it up more. Strategically, we'll try to do that."
Auburn (5-4) visits Mississippi State (2-6) Saturday at 6:30 p.m. CT with Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers and Cole Cubelic calling the game on SEC Network. Andy Burcham, Stan White, Ronnie Brown and Paul Ellen will announce the action on the Auburn Sports Network on 93.9 FM locally and on satellite radio on XM 388.
THREE QUESTIONS WITH…QB BO NIXQ. How different is this Mississippi State defense than the one you played last season?
A: They put a lot of good stuff on video. They're very multiple, different from last year. They were a little bit simpler last year, you knew what you could expect. We had a good game plan for them. This year it's a lot different [with MSU having] a new coaching staff, new season and a few new players.
Q. Facing Mississippi State's Air Raid offense, are you prepared for the possibility of a high-scoring game?
A. We're confident in our defense and their plan to keep them low-scoring. At the same time, if you do have to score some points, we'll be prepared for that, too. We really believe that our defense is going to play well. We've just got to execute offensively and put some points on the board to where by the end of the game, we're up.
Q. What has senior receiver Eli Stove meant to Auburn's offense?
A. His playmaking ability, his ability to run with the ball in his hands, I think that's been his biggest attribute. He does a great job with his experience. There's probably nothing left that he hasn't seen. He's done a really good job this year being a receiver. We've asked him to do many, many things. He's played a lot of snaps. He's responded very well. He's a great teammate, very versatile and a very good player."
INSIDE THE SERIESThis will be the 94th meeting between the Tigers and Bulldogs. Auburn leads the all-time series 64-27-2.
Auburn has won seven of the past 11 matchups with the Bulldogs, including a 56-23 victory last season at Jordan-Hare Stadium, which was Auburn's record for most points scored in the series.
Auburn leads 21-13-1 in games played at neutral sites, including Birmingham (14-11-1 AU), Columbus, Mississippi (1-0 AU), Jackson, Mississippi (5-2 AU) and Montgomery (1-0).
Series: Auburn leads 64-27-2
In Starkville: Auburn leads 13-7-1
Most AU points: 56 (1970, 2019)
BY THE NUMBERS Gameday Program
10.4: Tackles per game averaged by Auburn linebacker Zakoby McClain, which ranks No. 3 in the SEC. Fellow LB Owen Pappoe ranks 10th in the conference with an 8.1 average.
91: Bo Nix's 91-yard TD pass to Anthony Schwartz vs. LSU is tied for the longest pass play in the SEC and third-longest in the FBS this season.
642: Rushing yards by running back Tank Bigsby, which ranks second among all FBS freshmen.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer