NCAA Preview: Texas A&M At Auburn
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No. 17 Texas A&M (2-0, 0-0 SEC) at Auburn (1-1, 0-0 SEC), 7 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: Auburn by 3 1/2.
Series Record: Texas A&M leads 4-2.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Both teams are trying to get off to a good start in Southeastern Conference play while coming off lopsided wins over weaker competition. There's little margin for error in the SEC West, and this is a big game for both Texas A&M and Auburn in their bids to climb up the standings after some struggles in league play the past two seasons.
KEY MATCHUP
Auburn's offensive line against Texas A&M's pass rushers. The Tigers have allowed five sacks in two games and match up new starting tackles Robert Leff and Austin Golson against defensive ends Myles Garrett and Daeshon Hall. The two Aggies defenders only have one sack between them this season, but are still one of college football's better pass rushing duos.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Texas A&M: QB Trevor Knight has been a running and passing threat who has accounted for seven total touchdowns. He's making his first start in an SEC game and this is also his debut with the Aggies away from Kyle Field.
Auburn: RB Kerryon Johnson has at least flirted with 100 yards in each of the first two games and run for three touchdowns. He and backfield mate Kamryn Pettway will need to have some success on the ground to take heat off QB Sean White after both had big games against Arkansas State.
FACTS & FIGURES
Three of the last four meetings have been shootouts, producing at least 79 combined points each time. The exception was last season's 26-10 Auburn upset. ... Texas A&M is 18-7 away from Kyle Field under coach Kevin Sumlin. ... The Aggies are chasing a third straight 3-0 start, which would be a first since 1939-41. ... Texas A&M offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone held the same post at Auburn from 1999-2001. ... Auburn's 462 rushing yards last week against Arkansas State was the program's fourth-highest total.
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