Free Saturday Play for Week 2 in College Football features the San Jose State Spartans vs the Auburn Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
This is the second tune-up game for the Tigers before Penn State rolls in and the gauntlet that is the SEC West begins. They handled Mercer last weekend 42-16. San Jose State makes its third trip to the Plains in the last decade and will roll in after beating Portland State 21-17 securing the win in the final two minutes.
The Spartans really struggled against Portland State and should have lost that game. They had major issues in the trenches against Portland State who has a lineup that does feature a slew of FBS transfers. They had Portland State defenders in the backfield when on offense all night. On the defensive side of the ball they didn’t record a sack and only had a few negative plays created. They were out-gained 395-288, but were able to survive thanks to a goal line stand and two key interceptions.
Auburn controlled the game vs Mercer while two QBs Robby Ashford and TJ Finley battled for the starting gig. Tank Bigsby ran for 147 yards and 2 Touchdowns, and Jarquez Hunter found the end-zone three times. The defense dominated until the rain delay in the third quarter holding Mercer to under 100 yards up to that point. They called the dogs off for most of the second half and played vanilla defense.
In this match-up the key will be the Auburn defense vs Chevan Cordeiro who is a solid QB for the Spartans. He has great escapeability. He’s gonna need it as he was running for his life against Portland State and now he has to face what is likely a Top 3 SEC front seven? Good luck. They only managed 49 yards rushing vs Portland State and now they have to face what is likely a Top 3 SEC front seven? Good luck. I think SJSU is going to get lucky to score in this game unless its garbage time. Let’s say they get a turnover and punch it in maybe they get to 7.
When Auburn has the ball they will face a stiffer test running it as SJSU has two Defensive ends that could play on Sundays in Cade Hall and Viliami Fehoko. That being said, they should still dominate at the point of attack and will find some success with big plays running the ball. Finley threw 2 picks against Mercer after a solid beginning and he will likely get first crack at it on Saturday. I think Finley will improve after getting the first game jitters out and Ashford won’t play quite as much as they will look to get the passing game locked in before Penn State. Bigsby and the OL will dominate again and Auburn should score easily if not quickly when they have the ball.
Take Auburn -23.5. for 2 Units. I also Lean Under.
