The news that Auburn is sitting quarterback Ashton Daniels on Saturday to allow him to redshirt this season should be great news to anyone related to Mercer.
In his first start two weeks ago against Vanderbilt, Daniels showed what he could do with his arm, throwing for 353 yards and two touchdowns in the overtime loss to the Commodores. The Stanford transfer would likely put up huge numbers against the Bears as well, as Mike Jacobs' team allows 241.1 passing yards per game, ranking 96th in the FCS.
Now, the Bears will face Jackson Arnold, who has proven to be ineffective in the passing game with just six touchdown passes and two interceptions in nine games, and Deuce Knight, an unproven freshman who will get his first meaningful snaps after appearing in mop-up duty late in the 42-3 victory over Ball State all the way back in Week 2.
It sets up perfectly for Mercer if Auburn wants to run the ball essentially. The Bears are third in FCS in rushing defense, allowing a mere 73.7 yards per game on the ground in 10 games. And while the talent difference between an FCS and an FBS team is massive, there should still be concern that sticking to the ground game won't be enough to beat a good Mercer team.
Add in the fact that the Bears have a lethal weapon at quarterback in Braden Atkinson, who leads the FCS with 359.78 passing yards per game, and there should be some concern about having to keep up in points.
"They’re putting up a lot of points, throwing the ball down the field," DJ Durkin said. "They have an extremely talented freshman quarterback that’s doing a really good job. He knows where to go with the ball. And, like I said, it’s a lot of vertical routes and passes down the field. Their receivers go get it, they do a really good job."
It would be disastrous for Auburn to drop to a FCS-level school and blow its outside chances at a bowl game, but it would be even worse if the answer for Auburn's offense were on the bench if they do struggle.
Sitting Daniels to preserve his redshirt makes complete sense, but by doing it, Durkin is taking a considerable risk in a game he can't lose.