Auburn Looks to Right Path, Derail Texas A&M

Nov 21, 20242 min read

Auburn | Cam Coleman, Wide Receiver — © John Reed-Imagn Images

The Auburn Tigers (4-6, 1-5 Southeastern Conference) will host the No. 15 Texas A&M Aggies (8-2, 5-1) at 7:30 p.m. EST on Nov. 23 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. The Tigers hope to derail any path A&M has to the SEC Championship, while the Aggies look to avoid a classic trap game situation.

The Stakes

The Tigers have experienced a lot of misfortune and some football malpractice in 2024. Auburn has been out of the conference championship conversation since late September. But here they sit with a lot of say in which teams play for the SEC crown. Both the Aggies and archrival No. 7 Alabama need to win their final two SEC games to play for the conference title. Over the next two weeks, the Tigers have an opportunity to really perturb some rival fan bases. Auburn is also only two victories away from bowl eligibility. And while it is unlikely the Tigers pull out consecutive victories, expect Auburn to fight like hell in pursuit of a postseason.

As projections currently sit, the winner of the Texas A&M-No. 3 Texas (9-1, 5-1) Lone Star Showdown game will go to the SEC Championship game. But that only comes to fruition if the Aggies can get past the Tigers. Earlier in the week, Aggies head coach Mike Elko inadvertently said that A&M was focused on Texas when he was asked about this being a potential trap game. The media had plenty of fun with his slip-up. But the potential trap is no laughing matter. Auburn is more than capable of squashing A&M's postseason plans. If the Aggies go into Jordan-Hare with their attention on anything other than the Tigers, then they could be in for a long evening.

Who to Watch: Auburn

The Tigers have been at their best this season when senior running back Jarquez Hunter has gotten going. In Auburn's only conference win, Hunter rushed 23 times for 278 yards. He rushed for 102 yards in Week 12 and broke the 1,000-yard mark for the season. The Tigers will have to get Hunter going early if they hope to beat the Aggies.

Auburn | Jarquez Hunter, running back — © Jake Crandall/Advertiser/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Who to Watch: Texas A&M

The Aggies' defensive front is stout but not impenetrable. In its only conference loss, Texas A&M gave up 244 yards rushing to the No. 18 South Carolina Gamecocks (7-3, 5-3). Auburn's path to ruining the Aggies' weekend lies through the legs of Hunter. If the A&M front that showed up against the Gamecocks makes the trip to Jordan-Hare, then Hunter could be in for another big day.

Texas A&M | Shemar Turner, DL — © Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

What to Watch

Both teams are desperate for different reasons. The Aggies' sights are set higher than just conference supremacy and Auburn lies directly in the path of their lofty expectations. Auburn has an opportunity to paint a silver lining on an otherwise disappointing season and ride into 2025 on a positive note. Expect an intense battle in front of a hostile crowd.