Auburn returns to Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night as the Tigers host Kentucky in an SEC matchup. Hugh Freeze's team is coming off a 33-24 victory against Arkansas in which the Tigers forced four Razorback turnovers in the fourth quarter.
With the firings of Sam Pittman, Billy Napier and Brian Kelly, Kentucky's Mark Stoops joins Freeze on the hot seat as they both try to keep their job with a victory. The Wildcats are winless in SEC play at 0-5, and sit at 2-5 overall.
Auburn is currently an 11.5-point favorite over Kentucky. The Tigers have won the last four matchups between the two, including 24-10 in Lexington last season.
Here is how our team predicts the game to go.
Mary Kate Hughes
The Tigers finally pulled off a conference win last weekend, which inspires confidence, and Kentucky is probably the second-worst team in the SEC right now. With a night game in Jordan-Hare and an offense that will hopefully be reinvigorated by Ashton Daniels, I think Auburn wins its second game in a row.
Auburn 28, Kentucky 17
Jack Cottrell
Hugh Freeze faces yet another must-win situation against Kentucky in Week 10. While the Tigers certainly played a sloppy first two quarters against Arkansas, a late-game quarterback switch and four Razorback turnovers within the final quarter led Auburn to its first SEC victory. With Cam Coleman listed as "questionable" and the starting quarterback job still up in the air, Saturday's victory in Fayetteville left the Tigers with more questions than answers. In order for Auburn to pick up its second SEC win—and for Hugh Freeze to keep his job through another weekend—the Tigers will need to utilize their offensive weapons. While Auburn's run game was effective against Arkansas, with Jeremiah Cobb—the fantastic running back, totaling a season-high 153 yards—Kentucky's rushing defense is much stronger than the Razorbacks'. In addition, the Wildcats will take advantage of the Tigers' weak offensive line. Regardless of the result, Saturday's matchup is sure to come down to the wire.
Auburn 28, Kentucky 21
Brian Stultz
Have we seen the last of Jackson Arnold? Possibly, but I wouldn't rule out the quarterback seeing playtime again if Ashton Daniels struggles. Kentucky's defense isn't its problem, and quarterback Cutter Boley can make some throws, but I expect a low-scoring game where Auburn's defense does enough to get the job done.
Auburn 24, Kentucky 13