The 6-6 Auburn Tigers return to motion for the primary time since dropping the Iron Bowl later this week once they tackle the 7-5 Maryland Terrapins within the Music Metropolis Bowl on December 30.
Auburn completed the common season with back-to-back losses however managed bowl eligibility within the first season below new head coach Hugh Freeze.
On the opposite facet, Taulia Tagovailoa and Maryland had an up-and-down season within the Massive 10, profitable 7 video games in 12 tries.
The all-time main passer in Massive 10 historical past has opted out of this recreation, giving Auburn a major edge in response to oddsmakers. The Tigers are presently a full landing favourite on BetMGM.
ESPN FPI believes this recreation must be a lot nearer, as Hugh Freeze’s squad has only a 52.4% probability to win in response to the mannequin.
Will the story of the tape present us this recreation will probably be a Dixieland Delight for Auburn followers, or will Maryland followers be singing the Victory track on Broadway after the Music Metropolis Bowl?
As at all times we’ll begin with the quarterbacks.
Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne preliminary season on the Plains was very similar to a Sky Canine at 2 AM. The junior was a bit disappointing, however finally received the job accomplished for essentially the most half.
Thorne completed the common season with 1,671 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions as Auburn’s QB1(a).
Hugh Freeze’s QB1(b), Robby Ashford, has joined hundreds of different gamers within the switch portal, leaving Thorne with the keys to the Honda Accord that’s the Auburn offense.
With Ashford all however gone and incoming four-star recruit Walker White cooking within the background, Thorne has one last probability in recreation motion to show he can lead the Tigers into 2024.
As for the staff up in Maryland, senior sensation Taulia Tagovailoa has chosen to decide out of this recreation, leaving sophomore quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. and freshmen Cameron Edge because the lone signal-callers on the Terps roster.
Each gamers mixed for simply 13 passing makes an attempt this season though Edwards Jr. was used as a aim line quarterback, most notably dashing for 3 touchdowns towards No. 1 ranked Michigan.
Maryland’s passing offense was explosive this season however the lack of Tagovailoa offers the sting to Thorne and the Tigers.
The ability positions throughout the offense are a unique story. Auburn holds the sting at operating again because of the electrifying Jarquez Hunter however the large receiver hole is bigger than Previous Line State’s obsession with Previous Bay.
Maryland typically employs three-reciever units with Jeshaun Jones, Tai Felton, and Kaden Pranther. These three mixed for almost 500 extra receiving yards than Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne had in passing yards this season.
The Terrapins fourth goal, tight finish Corey Dyches, would have paced all Auburn pass-catchers as effectively.
Auburn tight finish Rivaldo Fairweather had a stable season however the edge clearly goes to Maryland, particularly contemplating the Tigers will probably be with out Ja’Varrius Johnson on this one.
Auburn’s protection is clearly the higher unit on that facet of the ball, however defensive coordinator Ron Roberts has some work forward of him on account of decide outs.
Cornerbacks D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett in addition to defensive lineman Marcus Harris gained’t be availbile for this one, leaving the 21-ranked protection in response to ESPN FPI shorthanded in Nashville.
James and Harris have been arguably Auburn’s two finest gamers on the defensive facet of the ball this season. It helps that linebacker Jalen McLeod and cornerback Keionte Scott are staying on the Plains and will probably be enjoying, however the lack of Harris, James, and Pritchett will probably be felt.
Maryland’s protection however isn’t nice however it’s not anemic both. The Terps have been stable all yr lengthy, however did hand over a median of over 30 factors per recreation in losses this season.
Head coach Mike Locksley isn’t coping with any main opt-outs on that facet of the ball, making the hole between these two groups nearer than the stats say.
Nonetheless, Auburn will get the sting right here.
There’s a cause ESPN FPI has these two groups ranked subsequent to one another in total rating. Whereas the lack of Taulia Tagovailoa offers Auburn an edge on this recreation, the Music Metropolis Bowl might very effectively come all the way down to the wire.
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Story initially appeared on Auburn Wire
