The Auburn Tigers (3-2, 0-2 in the SEC) will hit the road this Thursday night in hopes of their first conference win, traveling to Commonwealth Stadium to take on the Kentucky Wildcats (4-1, 2-1).
How to watch Auburn vs. Kentucky on TV or online, plus 3 things to know
The Tigers head to Lexington hoping to pick up their first SEC win of the season.
Kentucky is in an unusual position here -- a third conference win would move the Wildcats firmly into the SEC’s Eastern Division race with winnable games still on the schedule against the likes of Mississippi State, Tennessee and Vanderbilt. As for Auburn, this may be their last winnable game in the conference with Arkansas, Ole Miss, Alabama, Texas A&M and Georgia still to go.
The Tigers managed to break a two-game losing streak with a 35-21 win over San Jose State before a bye last weekend, but there was still the loss of star wide receiver Duke Williams, over an alleged incident at a local bar. Quarterback Sean White has completed 26 of 38 passes in two games since taking over for Jeremy Johnson, but he’s also yet to throw for a touchdown. Tailback Peyton Barber led the offense past SJSU, rushing for 147 yards and all five of the team’s touchdowns.
Kentucky needed overtime to hold off Eastern Kentucky 34-27, with quarterback Patrick Towles throwing for 329 yards and three touchdowns, along with a pair of interceptions.
How to watch, stream and listen
TV: Thursday, 7 p.m. ET, ESPN
Online streaming: WatchESPN Link
Spread: Auburn favored by 1 point.
Make friends: Kentucky fans, get on over to A Sea of Blue to chat about the game. Auburn fans should check out College and Magnolia.
Three big things to know
1. Get the bus back on track
Bad offenses aren’t supposed to happen to Gus Malzahn, but there’s Auburn at 95th nationally in points per game and 54th in S&P+. The running game would probably be the best place to start. Barber’s averaging 111 yards per game, and White has proven to be a more capable dual treat QB than Johnson.
2. Big Boom Theory
Kentucky’s Stanley “Boom” Williams is averaging just 85 rushing yards per game, but he’s averaging 7.3 yards per carry and has a knack for making explosive plays. Auburn has allowed 10 runs from scrimmage of 20 yards or more this season, so Williams might be able to find some room.
3. Josh Forrest
Kentucky’s middle linebacker might be the most underrated in the SEC. He leads the Wildcats in tackles and sacks (at 49 and 2.5) and has an interception, and is likely the MVP of the defense. He’ll have his hands full with Barber, Roc Thomas and freshman Kerryon Johnson, whose role has been expanding in recent weeks.
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