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The Auburn Tigers look to become bowl eligible with a victory on Saturday when they host the Idaho Vandals (4 p.m. ET, SEC Network.
The Tigers (5-5, 2-5) are coming off a disappointing 20-13 loss to Georgia last week after it appeared they were headed in the right direction following a very impressive 26-10 victory at Texas A&M. Auburn expects to get back on the right path Saturday when it welcomes Idaho, 3-7 overall and just 2-5 in Sun Belt Conference play, to Jordan-Hare Stadium.
The Tigers come into the game with every intention of extending their 28-game nonconference home win streak. Auburn is 22-0 all-time against current Sun Belt Conference members, including a 30-23 victory over the Vandals back in 1999 in the only other meeting between the two teams.
Here are five Auburn players to watch in Saturday’s game:
- RBs Jovon Robinson/Peyton Barber: This 1-2 punch has proven to be effective in carrying the Auburn running game. Splitting time last week, the two combined for 165 yards on 25 carries. Robinson had the slightly better stats with 93 yards on 12 carries. Barber rushed 13 times for 72 yards. It’s a combination that will keep both backs fresh while continuing to pound defensive fronts. Idaho will be hard-pressed to contain this powerful 1A and 1B force.
- QB Jeremy Johnson: With fellow QB Sean White still not 100 percent, the Tigers look to Johnson for leadership on Saturday. He completed 14 passes (14-22-1) in last week’s loss to Georgia, but only threw for 61 yards. He’ll need to complete more downfield throws on Saturday to keep Idaho from loading up in the box like Georgia did last week in shutting down Auburn’s offense in the second half. Johnson is 5-2 as a starter and has 15 career touchdown passes, including six this season.
- LB Cassanova McKinzy: Auburn’s active career leader in tackles with 255, McKinzy leads the team this season with five sacks for 45 yards. He’ll look to put pressure on Idaho’s passing game, which ranks 21st nationally, averaging 247.1 yards per game. For the season, McKinzy has 10 tackles for loss among his 66 total tackles (33 solo) and has caused one fumble.
- K Daniel Carlson: One of the most reliable kickers in the game, both on field goals and kickoffs, Carlson is the only kicker in the nation with four field goals of 51 yards or more. In the past 10 games, Carlson has booted five field goals of 50-plus yards. He is 14-for-14 in field goal attempts over the past five games, including two from 52 yards out. Ironically, he and Idaho kicker Austin Rehkow lead the nation with 20 field goals made. Both kickers are 20-for-23 so far this season.
- DB Johnathan Ford: The do-it-all junior is a leader on defense and also returns kickoffs for the Tigers, averaging 28 yards on 12 returns this season. Ford ranks second in the SEC with 97 total tackles. He has seven double-digit tackle games this season, including a career-high 14 in three different games. Ford will be tested this week by a strong Idaho passing game, but he’ll be looking to add to his one interception this season.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
