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| Photo Courtesy of Youtube.com |
The epic match-up begins at 7 PM Thursday night. Kansas State will host the Auburn Tigers, a rematch of the season opener for both teams in 2007. Auburn won the last one, 23-13, and now the teams cKome off of a bye week to play in a game that will give one of the two teams their first loss of the season. Let's take a look at the teams, and put together a preview.
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS (2-0)
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| Photo Courtesy of fansided.com |
Auburn does have a legit concern for their defense. Kansas State runs a triple option offense, led by Jake Waters, a senior JUCO transfer, Waters has a lot more confidence in himself and the team then he did last year, and he looks more poised in the pocket. With RB Charles Jones, a sophomore first year starter, they've put together an impressive 949 yards of total offense in their first 2 games.
They have to keep their eyes on a few big playmakers. For starters, consider Senior WR Tyler Lockett. Lockett's father, Kevin, owns Kansas States receptions, receiving yards, and receiving TD career records, which he is chasing down in his final year. He's a deep threat with his speed and hands, and he's already got 145 yards and a score on 7 catches this season.
Next, Charles Jones. Not only is Jones a RB, he's also a wildcat QB. He's got 130 yards and 4 TD's, split evenly at two in the last two games, this season, and he's simply a tough guy to bring down.
Don't forget the senior Waters. Waters has a great arm as well as good legs, and he can dazzle defenders with his pump fakes and play actions. He was ranked the 30th best player coming out of the JUCO for a reason.
Defensively, Jonathan Truman. This guy was a walkon in 2011, became a scholarship player, and finished 2nd on the team with 89 tackles. He's a beast on the field, and a good threat to any run game.
My main concern with this team is in the secondary. They gave up a lot of plays to Iowa State last week because of blown coverage's, and I think that they definitely need some work on that side of the ball. They got lucky a lot, but the secondary is poor.
My next concern is RB depth. Do they have the depth at running back to run all day with Auburn's offense? Auburn will put a lot of points on the board, but it won't do any good unless they run right alongside them.
Lastly, can the defense stop the constant pounding from Auburn? They haven't struggled yet with the run, but if Nick Marshall decides to throw more, can the defense come up with a concise stop that will determine the game?
The injury report:
NO INJURIES TO REPORT
AUBURN TIGERS (2-0)
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| Photo courtesy of fansided.com |
Auburn is under Gus Malzahn for the second season now, and are still looking strong. Wins over Arkansas and San Jose State have been spectacular, but Auburn is still questioned. What teams are they?
Auburn runs in a triple option attack as well, Nick Marshall, Corey Grant and Cameron Artis-Payne are the key players in this scheme. Marshall, a Hiesman trophy candidate, now enters his second year as the starter out of the JUCO. He has quick legs, a 100 yard game on his belt this season, but has some strides to improve upon him being a passer. Jeremy Johnson, his backup who has thrown a 75% completion percentage, looks more accurate as a passer then Marshall.
Sammie Coates has yet to play in a game, due to injuries, but D'haquille Williams, a fresh JUCO recruit, has covered for his leave. Williams had a huge day against the Razorbacks, bringing in 9 catches for 154 yards. He has 214 yards on the season.
Cameron Artis-Payne is a senior JUCO recruit, who backed up Tre Mason last season with 614 yards rushing. He has 2 worthy backups, Roc Thomas, the highly recruited #5 overall RB stepped into action against the Spartans and ran 9 times for 51 yards. Corey Grant would be the other one, he ran for 664 yards last season, he already has 176 yards this season.
Defensively, they are pretty solid. They shut down the run game against Arkansas by putting a lead up, and when they do that, the pass defense is solid.
My concern is can they stop their own medicine? Can they put on a lead big enough by stopping Kansas State's triple option offense and making Jake Waters throw it? And Waters is the best QB they'll go up against so far, will they shut him down?
PREDICTION
I think Auburn has it in them to win, but so does Kansas City. It's going to come down to who will make the first mistake. Trust me, I don't think it will be Auburn.
Auburn 38 Kansas State 31
