Florida vs. Auburn: What the Tigers Need to Do to Avoid a Third Loss

Auburn faces a very tough test today at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Florida is coming to town, and the Tigers need a win to avoid falling to three losses on the season.

So what are the keys to avoiding the loss?

The Gators are without starting QB John Brantley due to injury, and even if he was playing, the Gators are not a huge threat in the passing game.

Where Auburn must stay consistent defensively is against the rush.

The Gators average about five yards per carry on the ground, led by Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps.

In order to force Florida into obvious passing situations, the Tigers' defense is going to have to be disciplined and not over-pursue.

Rainey and Demps are both capable of scoring from anywhere on the field, and Auburn has had some horrible lapses against the run game at times this season.

On the offensive side of the ball, Gene Chizik's squad has got to be more effective passing the ball.

The Tigers are garnering a measly 170.7 yards per contest through the air, ranking 106th in the country in that category.

Ugly.

If they allow themselves to be one-dimensional against a stout Florida defense, it will be difficult to come away with a "W," even at home.

Six interceptions have been given away by the Tigers already this season, and while this is not a terrible number, it does not bode well for them if they fall behind.

While both of these factors will play into the final result, even bigger than that will be Auburn's skill at limiting the big play.

The Tigers sit at 116th in the country, having allowed 100 10-plus-yard plays to their opponents this season.

With threats such as Rainey and Demps on the other side of the ball, it will be absolutely imperative for this young defense to show some maturity and limit those big-gainers.

That said, Auburn should win this game, especially with Brantley out. But if the Tigers allow any of these "keys" to get away from them, Florida will leave Jordan-Hare as the winner.