Auburn plays Florida Atlantic at Jordan-Hare Stadium at 6:30 p.m. CT on FSN. SEC games this week include Tennessee at Alabama and South Carolina at Missouri.(Last week: 2-4, Overall: 57-13)
Florida Atlantic at Auburn
After winning a big game on the road at Texas A&M, Auburn returns home to face non-conference opponent Florida Atlantic on FSN at 6:30 p.m. CT. The Owls were off last weekend and come into Saturday's contest with a record of 2-5. The Tigers are ranked No. 11 with a record of 6-1. Auburn leads the all-time series 1-0 after beating FAU 30-14 in 2011.
The Owls last played Oct. 12 against Marshall and lost 24-23. Head coach Carl Pelini is in his second season with an offense that averages 210.3 passing ypg, 161.6 rushing ypg, and 22.3 ppg. FAU's defense surrenders 26 ppg.
AU pulled off a big upset at Kyle Field after being a two-touchdown underdog entering the contest against Texas A&M. The 45-41 victory over the Aggies made the Tigers bowl eligible after a disappointing 3-9 season in 2012.
While AU's offense averages 35.9 ppg, its defense has been the difference this season, especially in the fourth quarter. Defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson has kept his unit fresh all season by rotating players in and out throughout the game which has been huge when the Tigers need a stop late in games. Despite allowing Johnny Manziel to throw for 454 yards and four touchdowns, the defense came up big when Dee Ford sacked Manziel twice late in the fourth to secure the win.
AU could play sluggish for awhile Saturday against FAU after its biggest win of the season. The Tigers won't slip up and let the Owls pull off the upset as they look ahead to finishing out the season with road games at Arkansas and Tennessee, then home games against Georgia and Alabama.
Prediction: Auburn 50-17.
Vanderbilt at Texas A&MPrediction: TAMU 45-20.
Tennessee at AlabamaPrediction: Alabama 41-10.
South Carolina at MissouriPrediction: Missouri 30-17.
Furman at LSUPrediction: LSU 50-6.
Idaho at Ole MissPrediction: Ole Miss 40-7.