| There's been a lot of head-scratching this season for Auburn coach Gene Chizik. (US Presswire) |
New Mexico State (1-7, 0-4 WAC) at Auburn (1-7, 0-6 SEC)
Kickoff: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET (CSS)
Spread: Auburn by 22.5
Watchability: Auburn true freshman QB Jonathan Wallace gets his first start after providing a spark in the second half last week. "He wasn’t nervous, he wasn’t timid with anything he did, he was very confident in himself and we’re confident in him," TE C.J. Uzomah told Al.com. "We rallied around him and tried to make plays and that’s what he did, he tried to make plays.”
Shining stars: New Mexico State -- RB Germi Morrison. The junior averages 5.0 yards per carry and has gone over 90 yards rushing in each of the past two games. He’s also has 11 catches for 91 yards. Auburn -- Wallace. The 6-foot-2, 197-pounder woke up a lifeless offense against Texas A&M, going 6 of 9 for 122 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 71 yards on 13 carries in his first extended playing stint.
Who could steal the show: New Mexico State -- WR Austin Franklin. The 6-2, 180-pound sophomore could have a big day against Auburn’s young secondary. He has six 100-yard receiving games this season. Franklin (57 catches, 965 yards, 9 TDs) ranks 14th nationally in catches per game. Auburn -- RB Tre Mason. The sophomore has run for at least 80 yards in three straight games, scoring four touchdowns, and averages 5.3 yards per carry. But Mason has had 20 carries just once this season.
You going? Ranking the road trip: It won’t be a typical homecoming at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Fans have been venting their frustration with coach Gene Chizik for what columnist Kevin Scarbinsky called “the most embarrassing performance in the modern history of Auburn football.”
Magic number for New Mexico State: 14. The Aggies are 0-14 all-time against SEC schools, most recently losing 63-16 to Georgia last year.
Magic number for Auburn: 72. Auburn is 72-8-5 all-time in homecoming games.
The game comes down to: This is a good confidence-building situation for Wallace, who still has to face Georgia and Alabama. Although Auburn is one of the worst teams in the SEC, the Tigers should have their way with the WAC’s last-place team.
Prediction: Auburn 31, New Mexico State 10
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from SEC bloggers Daniel Lewis and Larry Hartstein, follow @CBSSportsSEC.