Texas A&M-Auburn winner to escape bottom of SEC West

By The Associated Press

Texas A&M (3-6, 1-5 SEC) at Auburn (3-6, 1-5), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EST (SEC Network)

FANDUEL SPORTSBOOK COLLEGE LINE: Auburn by 1 1/2

Series record: Texas A&M leads 7-5.

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

Both teams are trying to salvage something positive from very disappointing seasons. The winner snaps a five-game losing streak and escapes the bottom of the SEC West. The loser is assured of a losing season. Auburn has already fired coach Bryan Harsin and appointed former star running back Carnell Williams to lead the Tigers through the last few games. Texas A&M’s Jimbo Fisher will face even more heat if the Aggies lose this one, though he has a mammoth buyout of more than $85 million.

KEY MATCHUP

Texas A&M’s passing defense against Auburn’s offense. The Aggies rank 11th nationally, allowing 173.6 passing yards per game. In fact, opponents are averaging just 6.1 yards per pass attempt. Auburn’s passing game ranks last in the league, but Robby Ashford is averaging 14.02 yards per completion, 13th nationally.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Texas A&M: Freshman QB Conner Weigman is expected to make his second start after missing the Florida game with a virus. The former five-star recruit passed for 338 yards and four touchdowns without an interception in his starting debut against No. 11 Mississippi.

Auburn: Ashford makes Auburn’s offense go even when he’s not having much success passing. He passed for just 75 yards on 7-of-22 attempts at Mississippi State but also ran for 108 yards and two touchdowns.

FACTS & FIGURES

Texas A&M has won the last two meetings. … It’s Auburn’s second game under Williams, including a 39-33 overtime loss to Mississippi State. … Aggies running back Devon Achane leads the SEC and ranks fifth nationally averaging 155 all-purpose yards per game. … Auburn produced only a first-quarter field goal in last year’s 20-3 loss to Texas A&M, and managing just 73 rushing yards. … Ashford just became the first Auburn quarterback to rush for 100 yards in a game since Nick Marshall did it against the Bulldogs in 2014.

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