Know Your Enemy: Auburn Tigers
By Zach Ragan
Apr 20, 2013; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn mascot Aubie cheers on the fans during their A-Day spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Who: Auburn Tigers
Distance From Knoxville: 317 miles
Head coach: Gus Malzahn (First season, 8-1)
Conference: SEC
2013 Record: 8-1 (4-1)
Ranking: AP #7/USA Today #10
All time series: Tennessee is 21-27-3 against Auburn
Last meeting: Auburn beat Tennessee 26-22 in Knoxville in 2009
Leading Passer: Nick Marshall — 1,266 yards, 7 TD
Leading Rusher: Tre Mason — 921 yards, 13 TD
Leading Receiver: Sammie Coates — 638 yards, 5 TD
The Auburn Tigers drastic turnaround from 2012 to 2013 is simply amazing.
Gene Chizik, who led the Tigers to a national championship and a 14-0 record in 2010, was fired after last season when his team won only 11 games between the 2011 and 2012 seasons.
Auburn hired Gus Malzahn, the offensive coordinator of the Tigers’ 2010 championship team, as their new head coach.
Malzahn has completely turned Auburn around so far this season. There’s not a single person in the college football stratosphere that would’ve predicted that Auburn would be a top ten team.
But that’s exactly where Auburn is right now. Which makes Tennessee’s 2013 schedule one of the toughest schedules for any team in recent memory.
The Vols will be looking to break a five-game losing streak against Auburn. Tennessee hasn’t beat the Tigers since a 24-0 win in Knoxville on October 2, 1999.
The Vols will have their work cut out for them if they have any plans of winning on Saturday.
Auburn is averaging over 300 rushing yards per game this season. Stopping the run hasn’t exactly been Tennessee’s strong suit this season.
Butch Jones recognizes that and has pledged to make the Vols a more physical team this week as they prepare for Auburn.
Tennessee and Auburn kick off at 12:00 pm ET on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.