Auburn Football: 3 keys for Tigers to upset No. 22 Penn State
By Matt Melton
One of the SEC’s more high-profile contests set for week three comes from a showdown inside Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Auburn Football hosts a ranked team from the Big Ten in No. 22 Penn State.
In what-is a rematch from last seasons 28-20 Penn State win at home, what are some keys for the Tigers to avenge that loss from a year ago, and begin the 2022 season with a 3-0 start?
3 keys for Auburn Football to upset No. 22 Penn State
Continue success on the ground
Auburn ran for a total of 182 yards on the Nittany Lions defense a year ago, and return both of their top rushers from that game in Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter. Auburn’s offense so far this season has had success through the ground game in Bigsby, Hunter, and quarterback Robby Ashford, and will be key for Auburn offensively this Saturday to continue that success, especially if the Tigers struggle to throw the ball on this Penn State defense, one that is a significant step up from Mercer and San Jose State.
Quarterback play
The Tigers have struggled at times throwing the ball this season, with TJ Finley and Robby Ashford having combined for a 1:4 TD:INT across the first two games of the year. As mentioned previously, the step up to the Penn State defense is a big one, and it will be key for Auburn to have success through the passing game, because should the Nittany Lions defense slow down Bigsby and Hunter, the Tigers could potentially have a tough time moving the ball offensively.
Put pressure on Clifford
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While he did throw an interception in the contest, Penn State starting quarterback Sean Clifford had success against Auburn a year ago, completing 28-of-32 passes for 280 yards and two touchdowns. Facing one of the Big Ten’s most experienced quarterbacks, it will be key for names such as Derrick Hall, Eku Leota, and more along Auburn’s defensive front to put pressure on Clifford in hopes of slowing down a Nittany Lions offense that is averaging 40.5 PPG so far this season.