After last weekend’s collapse in Missouri, Auburn football aims to secure its first conference win on the road against Kentucky.
Auburn holds a 27-6-1 advantage in the all-time series against Kentucky and is 13-4 in games played in Lexington, KY. The Tigers have won their last nine visits to Kentucky, with their most recent matchup in 2015 resulting in a narrow 30-27 victory for Auburn.
For Auburn, breaking a four-game losing streak will improve its chances of making a bowl game.
Here are three questions for the Tigers as they prepare to take on the Wildcats in Kentucky:
Kentucky could be without one of its best offensive weapons against Auburn on Saturday.https://t.co/COB0lPGSnk
— Auburn Tigers | AL.com (@aldotcomTigers) October 24, 2024
Who‘s Auburn’s kicker?
With Towns McGough, Auburn’s true freshman kicker, currently at 5-for-10 on field goals this season, Alex McPherson may be in line for a return.
McPherson has not played this season due to a gastrointestinal illness. Auburn coach Hugh Freeze suggested that kicks from within 35 yards could lead to McPherson getting back on the field.
McGough has missed two attempts from 30 yards or less in conference games against Missouri and Oklahoma this season. In contrast, McPherson was flawless last season, going 13-for-13 on field goals.
What’s in the way of Auburn finishing games?
In Auburn’s five losses this season, they have accumulated a total of 12 turnovers. They’ve surrendered double-digit leads in the fourth quarter of SEC games twice this year, most recently against Missouri. With their only victories coming against an FCS team (Alabama A&M) and a Mountain West team (New Mexico), fans are questioning why Auburn struggles to close out games against Power 4 opponents.
Hugh Freeze is also looking for answers.
We faced two Top 20 teams in the last three weeks—at least they were ranked that way at the time—and had leads in the fourth quarter but couldn’t seal the deal,” Hugh Freeze remarked. “It’s extremely disappointing and frustrating, for sure.
In my 32 years of coaching, I’ve never experienced a season where not a single game has ended in our favor. We aren’t making enough plays in crucial moments, and it’s difficult to pinpoint the exact reason for that.
Is the season over if Auburn loses?
Yes.
A conference loss to the Wildcats could signal the beginning of the end, especially with Vanderbilt, Texas A&M, and Alabama still left on the schedule.
Auburn will travel to Kentucky to take on the Wildcats at 6:45 p.m. on Saturday, and the game will be aired on the SEC Network.
Be the first to comment