No. 22 Auburn (SEC) welcomes the Red Wolves of Arkansas State (Sun Belt) down to the plaines for a game at Jordan-Hare Stadium, where Sportsbook oddsmakers favor the Tigers by -31. The Red Wolves however, will not be intimidated by the big time SEC atmosphere. Arkansas State has historically covered well in these big non conference games. Just two years ago the Red Wolves won SU at Texas A&M as +18 road dogs. Kick off for this game is set for 7 pm ET and can be seen live on FSN.
Highly touted JUCO transfer Cam Newton is set to take over as Auburn's quarterback in 2010. Senior RB Mario Fannin ranked third on the team with 990 all-purpose yards last season. He was second on the team in receptions (42) and third in rushing yards (285). Michael Dyer, one of the nation's top recruits a year ago, will look to see action on the backfield. Senior OT Lee Ziemba has started every game (38 starts) since his first game as a true freshman. Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery highlight the wide receiver group.
Ryan Aplin, who set the ASU single-season record for highest completion percentage, played in nine games last season, including three of the last four as a starter. He led A-State to victories in its last two games and set a school record with the most total yards of offense ever by a freshman during the North Texas game. Derek Lawson recorded close to 1,000 yards in his first two seasons in a back-up role and could fill the starting position nicely. Statistically, the Red Wolves lost their top three players at wide receiver.
Senior LB Josh Bynes led Auburn and was seventh in the SEC with 104 total tackles in 2009, 61 of which were solo. He registered a season-best 12 tackles and an interception versus West Virginia. Antoine Carter and Michael Goggans will take over as the primary pass rushers to replace the departed Antonio Coleman. Zac Etheridge has been given medical clearance in the secondary after suffering a neck injury last season.
Led by marquee players like Bryan Hall and Dorvus Woods, ASU has a great amount of depth along the defensive line. A-State brings back all but one player at the linebacker position, including its top three producers in Demario Davis, Javon McKinnon and Nathan Herrold. ASU lost both its starting corners, but brings back every player at safety. Junior Kelcie McCray, who recorded a team-high four interceptions last year, and M.D. Jennings, who was the team's second leading tackler, are all-conference candidates at the position.
It has been widly publicized about Auburn's new wide-open offensive approach. It will for sure give Arkansas State some problems defensively, but the Indians are a seasoned bunch in protecting the ball. A big question with this game is how will Auburn's defense do in keeping the Red Wolves out of the end zone? We see this game over-lined in favor of Auburn. The best bet is taking ASU and the -31 points. We feel the Tigers would need to score in the 50's to cover that line.
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