Auburn Vs. West Virginia: Put Up Or Shut Up

Louisiana Tech was a solid team, and one that was much better than they receive credit for. Mississippi State was more of the same, and much improved from the past few years.  West Virginia is a horse of a different color.

So far, the revamped Auburn football team has mixed a steady dose of the new offense with a more than respectable, yet expected defense.

Each week the Tigers have encountered some problems, usually in the first half, but have made the necessary adjustments to put the game away.

When you score 37 and 49 points in back to back weeks, you’re obviously doing something right.

Neither game was in the books going into the half, and if not for some gutsy two minute offense before heading to the tunnels, Auburn would have been in a flat out dogfight both weeks.

That fact alone is something that proves this team is different. While they’ve set themselves apart from the woes of 2008 in the first two weeks, they haven’t proved anything yet.

Auburn has yet to encounter a quarterback that knows how to truly direct an offense, and Jarrett Brown is more than capable of doing that for the Mountaineers.

A bigger version of Pat White, Brown is a much better passer, but can still make plays with his feet.

It doesn’t hurt having a top tier running back like Noel Devine in the backfield either. At receiver, Jock Sanders make a nifty target to throw to as well.

While Devine’s numbers haven’t been gaudy thus far, he’s a player capable of going to the house on any given play.

He showed that last year on an Auburn defense that was more than gassed in the fourth quarter.

Auburn and WVU both have striking similarities when it comes to making halftime adjustments.

In a 21-20 halftime battle with East Carolina last weekend, the Mountaineers came out inspired and pitched a shutout in the second half.

The Tigers have done the exact same thing in back to back weeks and put both games away early in the second half.

While piling up rushing yards has been a strength for Auburn thus far, they will face a very capable Mountaineer D this weekend.

While Liberty and ECU aren’t quite quality opponents, WVU shut them down well enough to rank 33^rd in Total Defense through Week Two.

This will be a true test for both teams, but the Auburn defense will be the one looking to answer the call this week.

Sure, they’re the Auburn defense, a unit that is always steady and dominant, but once again, WVU brings a full arsenal of weapons onto the Plains.

If Ted Roof’s unit can step up and play consistently, Auburn shouldn’t have too much trouble with West Virginia.

It will be a battle, but being an SEC defense, I expect Auburn to elevate their play and show why they’re ready to compete now.

Special teams have also been a major weakness for the Tigers, and Chizik as well as special teams coach Jay Boulware have vowed to fix those problems.

Though Auburn hasn’t been locked in a close game yet, this Saturday could be their first, and one small mistake on special teams could lead to a loss.

Either way, if Auburn can continue to run the ball like they have been, and compliment it with smart play from Chris Todd, the Tigers should stay on a roll.

While WVU may have better skill players and game changers, the Tigers have a better overall unit.

It’s going to be a heavy weight bout, and Jordan-Hare is sure to be ready for WVU. We’ll see some big plays on both sides, but at the end of the night, Toomers Corner will be flowing with toilet paper once again.