Aug 304 min read

Auburn, Improved Roster to Host Alabama A&M in Week 1

Auburn | Payton Thorne, quarterback — © Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports

The Auburn Tigers will host the Alabama A&M Bulldogs at 7:30 p.m. EST on Aug. 31 inside Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. Both teams look to flex improved rosters after substandard seasons in 2023.

Auburn was 6-7 (3-5 Southeastern Conference) last season. The Tigers brought in a horde of new faces through recruiting and the Transfer Portal. Talent level and expectations were simultaneously elevated. Alabama A&M finished 5-6 (3-5 Southwestern Athletic Conference) last season, but had their own offseason roster renaissance. This is the third time both teams have faced each other. The Tigers won the last two meetings by a combined score of 106-7.

What's at Stake

Hugh Freeze enters his second season as Auburn's head coach. After a string of disappointing seasons, Auburn looks to return to competitive play that its rabid fan base expects. Freeze and his staff have made a lot of waves in the recruiting department this offseason. As a result, there has been an influx of talent. Specifically at the receiver position. Freeze also adjusted his coaching staff. Out are offensive and defensive coordinators Phillip Montgomery and Ron Roberts, replaced by Derrick Nix and DJ Durkin. A more cohesive coaching staff and the talent upgrade have the Tigers looking to make an impact in the new-look SEC.

Alabama A&M returns a lot of talent to a potent offense. It was second in the SWAC in scoring offense with 29.6 points per game last season. Along with returning most of the starters on the offensive line, they also added a pair of Power Five transfers in Minnesota's Tyrell Lawrence and Georgia Tech's Elias Clay. The Bulldogs expect to be equally impressive on offense in 2024. They hope to make a substantial jump on defense after surrendering 27.4 points a game in 2023. If the defense can make the leap, then Alabama A&M expects to make plenty of noise in the SWAC.

Key Players: Auburn

Offensive: Payton Thorne, quarterback. It is easy to say that the quarterback is a key player. In a season where the upgrade at wide receiver has been the talk of the town, there is even more pressure on Thorne. He struggled with consistency in his first year with the Tigers, finishing with 1,755 yards passing, 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Having a full year under his belt, along with an improved receiver group, should benefit Thorne in 2024.

Offensive: Cam Coleman, other wide receivers. Speaking of those new toys, Auburn brought in a top 10 recruiting class with what is known as the "Freeze Four". Four Four-Star or better receivers in Cam Coleman, Perry Thompson, Bryce Cain and Malcolm Simmons are with the Tigers.

Coleman burst onto the scene during spring football by hauling in 4 catches for 92 yards and a touchdown in Auburn's A-Day game. The four freshmen pair with Penn State transfer KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Georgia State transfer Robert Lewis. This may be the most anticipated corps of receivers that Auburn has ever had. The Tigers have only had two 1,000-yard receivers in program history. Perhaps the next 1,000-yard man is in this receiver room.

Defensive: Eugene Asante, linebacker. Asante is a menace and a staple in the Tigers' front seven. He had his coming-out party against Cal in 2023 with 12 tackles. Asante, a senior, will be tasked to lead a defense breaking in new faces in the secondary. Asante's pass-rush ability and nose for the football should make that fresh secondary's job easier.

Auburn | Cam Coleman, — © Jake Crandall/Advertiser/USA TODAY NETWORK

Key Players: Alabama A&M

Offensive: Cornelius Brown IV, quarterback. Bulldogs head coach Connell Maynor named Brown as his starter early during game week. Brown, a junior, played early in the 2023 season but missed most of it for personal reasons. Brown will be expected to keep the offense clicking after the Bulldogs' offensive success in 2023.

Offensive: Tyrell Lawrence/Elias Clay, offensive line. These two Power Five transfers will boost an already potent offensive line. Auburn's defense expects to have its way with the Bulldogs' offense. But the offensive line should be stout and competitive against the Tigers.

Defensive: Kaleb Dawson, safety. The Bulldogs lost a lot from a defense that finished eighth in the SWAC in scoring defense in 2023. The Bulldogs hauled in 11 interceptions. Dawson finished the season with 50 tackles and 3 interceptions. He hopes to help the defense get right this season. Expect Dawson and the Bulldogs' secondary to be tested early and often.

Trends to Watch

Auburn looks to keep the hype train rolling with a hot start against the Bulldogs. Expect the Tigers to run to set up the pass early. Senior running back Jarquez Hunter (909 yards, 7 touchdowns in 2023) will lead the way for the Auburn offense. But the Tigers will look to pass as they try to get the new receiving corps going. Alabama A&M is outmatched but hopes to find positives in the game before moving into SWAC play.