For the first time since 2013, the Auburn Tigers are hitting the road to Knoxville, Tennessee to take on the Tennessee Volunteers in Neyland Stadium, trying to pick up a big win over Josh Heupel’s squad.
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Last Saturday, the Tigers bounced back in some regard to take a 21-15 victory against the Vanderbilt Commodores in a game where they only gave up 199 yards through the air and held Clark Lea’s team to 4-for-17 on third down.
Now, Auburn enters October with a treacherous slate ahead, facing four ranked opponents in a quite critical part of the season.
The Volunteers kick that stretch off, entering the game at 3-1 just like the Tigers after falling to Texas in their most recent outing, 20-17.
However, Tennessee is still favored to win this game with a 7-point line, while the over/under mark sits at 53.5 points for the afternoon.
With the game set to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CST on Saturday on ESPN, the Auburn Undercover staff unveils its predictions for Week 5, including the Auburn game, our game of the week and eight other showdowns from across the country.
Current standings:
1. Caleb (30-10)
2. Tyler (29-11)
3. Ryan (28-12)
4. Ronnie (25-15)
5. Jay (20-20)
Tennessee (-7) vs. Auburn
Tyler: Tennessee
Early in the time under Alex Golesh, Auburn has already taken a step up from the last two head coaches in that it can win one-possession games. The Tigers have already won two of those this year against Baylor and Vanderbilt. However, getting themselves in those positions has been anything but easy, and Saturday will be yet another challenge. Tennessee’s home-field advantage is vastly different from what it was when these two last met in 2020, and the Volunteers are still on the rise.
One thing that Auburn has struggled with in recent history is mobile quarterbacks with multiple good receivers. There was a glimpse of that in last week’s win, as Jared Curtis made plays with his legs and put up solid throws to Junior Sherrill. Faizon Brandon has the same abilities, and with Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley at his disposal, the possibilities are unlimited. I think that trio gets going, and it is why I like the Volunteers to get a comfortable home win on Saturday.
Ryan: Tennessee
The Volunteers defensive line is not at all what it was two years ago in terms of depth and high-end talent. Rodney Garder’s starting four though is still playing at a high level, as it showed against Texas last Saturday. The defenses, in my opinion, are ahead of both offenses in this one.
I would look to take the under in this one, and maybe even lower given how far above the two defensive lines are to the offensive lines, which is the case in most places in this region and in the SEC. Still, I am picking Tennessee to win a close one.
Caleb: Tennessee
Auburn is looking for an upset on the road in Knoxville, but through four weeks, I haven't seen anything from the team that warrants me picking the Tigers in this one.
Could Auburn pull off the upset? I think if the team pieces it all together—offense, defense and special teams—it certainly could. However, I don't think there's been a game this season where it truly has pieced it all together, and I don't see that changing on the road.
Jay: Auburn
I have gone back and forth on this since Auburn lost to Florida but rebounded to beat Vanderbilt. In the preseason, this was a game I thought the Tigers had no chance in winning. Now, I think it is as close to a toss up as you can get to. Tennessee did lose a three-point game to Texas. Now I know the Longhorns are probably better than Auburn. The Volunteers did go on the road and beat Georgia Tech, but I feel the Tigers are maybe a touch better.
It's been four years since Auburn won its SEC road opener. It's been that same amount of time since the Tigers were 2-1 in the SEC. Auburn has had recent success against the Volunteers, even though the last meeting was 2020. These two teams are certainly not the same, but I think with everything the Tigers have to play for, I think they finally get the slow starts solved and will handle the crowd well. Give me Auburn in a close one.
Ronnie: Tennessee
Auburn has already found a way to win a couple of games this season that it probably would have lost a year ago, and that says something about the Tigers’ ability to finish. They have shown more composure in close situations and have been able to make enough plays late when games have tightened up. That will be important again in a difficult road environment at Tennessee. Auburn should be able to stay in this game if it protects the football and avoids giving the Volunteers easy opportunities.
That said, playing Tennessee on the road presents a different challenge, especially if the Volunteers are able to build momentum early. Auburn should have opportunities to keep this close into the fourth quarter, but Tennessee’s home-field advantage could end up being the difference. I expect another competitive game that comes down to a handful of possessions late. I’ll take Tennessee to win a close one at home.
GAME OF THE WEEK:
Mississippi State vs. Alabama (-6)
Tyler: Alabama
There is no question that this game has hit its biggest chapter since Mississippi State went into Bryant-Denny Stadium ranked as the top team in the nation in 2014. That game was controlled by Alabama, a lot of which was aided by a home advantage. Now, I know this is at Davis Wade Stadium, and I know I am a believer in what Kamario Taylor can do, but I also know how the Crimson Tide have historically shown up in big games and the second half this season. To me, Alabama’s defense is too good to let Taylor pick it apart all game long, and I think Keelon Russell will capitalize on his chances late to win this game. That is why I’m taking Kalen DeBoer and the Crimson Tide.
Ryan: Mississippi State
All of the top recruits in the Atlanta area that I’ve met with this week said that they will be in Starkville for this game. The atmosphere is set to be a mad house. This is Mississippi State’s Super Bowl, just like it was for Ole Miss when it hosted LSU. That is why I am taking the Bulldogs in a high-scoring affair.
Caleb: Alabama
I'm expecting this game to be rather high scoring. Both teams have really efficient offenses led by young quarterbacks who have shined through four weeks of the season. In the end, Kamario Taylor is the truth, but Alabama prevails on the road. I'm taking the Crimson Tide.
Jay: Mississippi State
I think a lot of people are expecting Alabama to steamroll the Bulldogs. I think Kamario Taylor will be the best quarterback the Crimson Tide face this year. Historically, Alabama struggles with good dual-threat quarterbacks. If you're going to beat Alabama, it has to be away from Bryant-Denny Stadium. I think Mississippi State is able to get one of its biggest wins in school history on Saturday.
Ronnie: Mississippi State
Mississippi State has a chance to make this a four-quarter game if it can stay balanced offensively, avoid turnovers and keep Alabama from creating explosive plays. The Bulldogs will need to control the tempo and be efficient on third down, especially when opportunities arise in Alabama territory. Alabama has the talent advantage in plenty of areas, but six points feels like enough room for Mississippi State to hang around and put pressure on the Crimson Tide late. I’ll take Mississippi State to win a close one.
Other games:
Northwestern vs. Penn State (-3) - Oct. 2
Tyler: Penn State
Ryan: Penn State
Caleb: Penn State
Jay: Northwestern
Ronnie: Penn State
Iowa State (-3) vs. West Virginia
Tyler: West Virginia
Ryan: West Virginia
Caleb: Iowa State
Jay: Iowa State
Ronnie: West Virginia
Air Force (-3.5) vs. Navy
Tyler: Navy
Ryan: Navy
Caleb: Air Force
Jay: Navy
Ronnie: Navy
Minnesota vs. Michigan (-5.5)
Tyler: Minnesota
Ryan: Michigan
Caleb: Minnesota
Jay: Minnesota
Ronnie: Michigan
Iowa vs. Ohio State (-14.5)
Tyler: Ohio State
Ryan: Ohio State
Caleb: Ohio State
Jay: Iowa
Ronnie: Iowa
UNLV (-2.5) vs. California
Tyler: California
Ryan: UNLV
Caleb: California
Jay: California
Ronnie: UNLV
South Carolina (-3) vs. Kentucky
Tyler: Kentucky
Ryan: Kentucky
Caleb: Kentucky
Jay: South Carolina
Ronnie: Kentucky
Arizona State (-3.5) vs. Baylor
Tyler: Baylor
Ryan: Baylor
Caleb: Arizona State
Jay: Baylor
Ronnie: Baylor
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
