How to watch SJSU vs. Auburn: Preview, TV/schedule, odds

Auburn began the season with a conference game, and there’s a nasty Thursday night road trip in Week 3. But right now, it’s cupcake time. The Tigers host San Jose State at Jordan-Hare Stadium Saturday night.

Auburn’s offense looked just fine with backup quarterback Jeremy Johnson running the show in the first half against Arkansas, but the run game really came alive in the second half with Nick Marshall back in action. Whatever the Tigers decide to do on Saturday, they shouldn’t have much of a problem moving the ball. Johnson and Marshall will both air it out, and we might get our first look at freshman running back, and former five-star prospect, Roc Thomas before it’s all said and done.

San Jose State is coming off an emphatic 42-10 victory over North Dakota, and the Spartans’ 6-6 season a year ago included an upset win over No. 16 Fresno State in the season finale. They’ll need as many points as they can get to keep up with Gus Malzahn’s high-octane offense.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2

Radio: Auburn; San Jose State

Online streaming: WatchESPN

Rankings and records: After a season-opening 24-point win over division rival Arkansas, Auburn is 1-0 and ranked fifth in the AP Top 25 and USA Today Coaches’ Poll. San Jose State is also 1-0, but is unranked.

Vegas: The Tigers opened as 29-point favorites, and that spread has moved a bit to 31 points at most sportsbooks. The over/under is set at 64.

Weather forecast: With a daytime high of 88 and a nighttime low of 70, it should be beautiful football weather in Jordan-Hare Stadium provided that the thunderstorms expected to be in the area miss Auburn, Alabama.

Nick Marshall, Auburn QB

Marshall sat out the first half last week while serving a suspension for a marijuana citation, but he made the offense hum in the second half. Everyone knows he can run, but Saturday could be a chance for him to work on his passing game.

Blake Jurich, San Jose State QB

Jurich was nearly perfect in the Week 1 win over North Dakota, completing 22 of 25 passes for 250 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. If he has time to throw, don’t be surprised to see the QB have some success against Auburn’s secondary.

Robenson Therezie, Auburn DB/LB

Therezie is the big playmaker on the defensive side of the ball for the Tigers. Roaming the field in the hybrid Star position, he led the team with four interceptions last year, and his hit on Arkansas quarterback Brandon Allen led to a pick-six a week ago.

Auburn has bigger fish to fry and just wants to get out of Saturday’s game without any injures. San Jose State, too, would like to stay healthy for its conference season.

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