Auburn football: 3 Reasons why the Tigers take down Texas A&M

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Oct 30, 2021; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi Rebels tight end Casey Kelly (81) is tackled by Auburn football safety Smoke Monday (21) and safety Zion Puckett (10) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports /

Reason #2: Auburn football’s defense is trending upwards

Last week versus the #10 Ole Miss Rebels, the Tigers had four red-zone stops and held Lane Kiffin’s team to just 20 points, the Rebs’ lowest point total since 2019. Only three of the Tigers’ eight opponents this season have managed to score in the fourth quarter, which Jimbo Fisher credits to Derek Mason’s ability to make defensive adjustments throughout the game, per Montgomery Advertiser:

"“I think they make great adjustments during the game,” Fisher said. “They’ve always done a great job on defense, and they’re playing really well, playing really good in the red zone.”"

Auburn’s defense is allowing an average of 19.8 points per game, only 3.4 points in the fourth quarter so far this season. The Tigers’ fourth-down conversion defense is ranked fourth in the country, only allowing 4 of 17 attempts to be completed this season.

The key for Harsin’s team will be to shut down the running game. Auburn football’s rushing defense currently ranks 35th in the country, allowing an average of 127.1 rushing yards per game. The Aggies are averaging 188.1 rushing yards per game this season, so the defense will have to be prepared.

If they can manage to shut down A&M’s offense the same way they shut down the Rebs, another road victory is looking good for the Tigers.

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