Tennessee football at Auburn: 10 keys to the game

AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 13: General view of Jordan-Hare Stadium prior to the matchup between the Auburn Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers on October 13, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
AUBURN, AL - OCTOBER 13: General view of Jordan-Hare Stadium prior to the matchup between the Auburn Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers on October 13, 2018 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
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Oct 24, 2020; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Auburn Tigers linebacker Zakoby McClain (9) reacts during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2020; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Auburn Tigers linebacker Zakoby McClain (9) reacts during the second half against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

4. Will Auburn’s defense have a complete performance?

This may seem like an extremely simple key to the game, but consistency has been the main issue all year for the Auburn Tigers’ defense. Not one part of the unit stands out. A different part either steps up or falls apart each week, depending on whether or not they play poorly or come away with a memorable win.

If Auburn isn’t giving up 200 yards on the ground, they’re getting torched through the air. Of course, in one of their losses, they didn’t do either, but they had too many mistakes on offense. We’ll get to that.

The Ole Miss Rebels gave them a scare thanks to 283 rushing yards. Meanwhile, they allowed Feleipe Franks and the Arkansas Razorbacks to throw for over 300 yards against them. In their loss to the Georgia Bulldogs, they allowed 202 yards on the ground.

Heck, this team even allowed the Kentucky Wildcats to throw for over 230 yards, which that team doesn’t do. Although UT’s offense has been disastrous, the Vols do have weapons, and they can establish a solid rushing attack. If Auburn has a lapse on one part of its defense once again, don’t think that even this Vols team couldn’t exploit it.