Nov 1, 2014; Oxford, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Nick Marshall (14) scores a touchdown during the third quarter against the Ole Miss Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-USA TODAY Sports
If you’ve made it this far, you’re sure to notice a theme. The Auburn football players that are most important to a Tigers upset victory in the Iron Bowl have great potential, but have been inconsistent in 2014.
Marshall has been a great piece to Gus Malzahn’s offense since joining the program prior to the 2013 season. He’s a dynamic playmaker with a strong right arm and cat-like quickness in the pocket. The senior has had a major role in 20 wins over the last two seasons, and he’s put up some nice numbers along the way.
Betsided
This season, the signal caller has a respectable stat sheet. He’s completed 136 of 228 passes (59.6%) for 1,859 yards, 15 touchdowns and has tossed six interceptions. An electric runner, Marshall is second on the team with 731 rushing yards on 133 carries and is tied with Cameron Artis-Payne for the team lead with 11 touchdowns on the ground.
However, he’s had his ups and downs, including spells of inaccuracy, and Marshall’s last two games have been pretty lackluster.
Against Georgia, Marshall completed just 11 of 23 passes for 112 yards and an interception and was held out of the end zone and to 41 rushing yards. Last week against Samford, Marshall was 11-for-18 for 171 yards, a TD and an interception and finished in the red with negative eight rushing yards.
For Auburn to beat Alabama in the Iron Bowl, the Tigers need a spark from Nick Marshall similar to the one he provided in last season’s victory. That day, Marshall completed 69% of his passes, had two touchdown passes without an interception, and added 99 rushing yards and another score on the ground.
Three touchdowns and zero turnovers helped Auburn stay in the game when Alabama took a two touchdown lead, and allowed the Tigers to keep coming back to tie the game 21-21 and 28-28, which set up the greatest ending in college football history.
Finally, when attempting to upset the No. 1 team on the road in one of college football’s greatest rivalries, your senior quarterback needs to step up and make plays.
Another solid performance from Nick Marshall, and the others on this list, can accomplish the same thing in 2014 – an Iron Bowl victory.
Next: 2014 Iron Bowl Preview & Predictions
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