2011 NCAAF Gambling: Aggies vs Tigers Handicapping Preview
Auburn must be excited to put the despicable incident of the poisoned oak trees in Toomer’s Corner behind it and just play some football.
Utah State Aggies at Auburn Tigers
Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn AL
Saturday, Sept. 3, Noon EST
NCAA Odds from Bookmaker Sportsbook:
MoneyLine: OFF
Spread: Utah St. +22/Auburn -22
Over/Under: 56.5
Grab The In Depth ATS Matchup Report – Click Here!
It has been a long off-season of shenanigans and image tarnishing for NCAA football; the bitter rivalry that spurned an Alabama fan to vandalize the iconic spot was one of the stories that was front and center.
Yet the Tigers should have some concerns beyond just negative press. Last year’s national champions lose a tremendous amount of important personnel this season – first and foremost obviously being Heisman winning QB Cam Newton. In the lethal SEC West (even with LSU running into trouble) there won’t be a second’s breathing room and Auburn will have a target on its back.
But fans and bettors alike should see the season home opener against Utah State as a tune-up game. Even shorthanded, the Tigers should manage the Aggies and start the 2011 regular season 1-0. That doesn’t mean there won’t be pressure on new starting pivot Barrett Trotter. He has the biggest shoes to fill in Newton, and if he falters, Clint Moseley or freshman Kiehl Frazier will be chomping at the bit to take his place.
In the Aggies, Auburn has an opponent that is at best a middling WAC member. Utah State was 4-8 last season and loses its starting QB. Two important players, RB Robert Turbin and WR Stanley Morrison, return in 2011 after both missing the entire 2010 campaign to injury. Turbin, especially, had 1,296 rushing yards in ’09 and was second-team all-WAC. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
These impact players may be able to rip some gainers on an entirely re-tooled Tigers “D”, but the talent and depth at Utah State simply isn’t at par with a major SEC program (even when that program is re-loading).
Trotter will likely hand the ball off plenty to Michael Dyer and Onterrio McCalebb who combined for 1,900 yards rushing last year, even with Newton grabbing 1,400+ yards and 20 majors. When Auburn isn’t running the ball, TE Philip Lutzenkirchen presents an intriguing bail-out option in the passing attack. Senior right tackle Brandon Mosley will blast open holes for all parties involved.
Defensively, safety Neiko Thorpe will lead the charge for the home side, but this must serve as a litmus test for a bushel of new starters – there will be no “learning on the fly” when Auburn gets into its conference schedule. There’s plenty of team speed to go round, provided the new faces can handle the spotlight.
There’s no doubt that a sound drubbing of the Aggies would do wonders for the Auburn faithful, in order to take their mind off the nonsense. With a new starting QB for Utah State and a roster that doesn’t have oodles of talent to begin with, the Tigers should take care of business and send the fans home happy.
Trends:
Over is 8-2-1 in UTAST last 11 games in September.
Under is 6-2-1 in UTAST last 9 games overall.
UTAST are 10-4-1 ATS in their last 15 road games.
Over is 6-2 in AUB last 8 games in September.
AUB are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 vs. WAC.
Over is 12-5-1 in AUB last 18 home games.
Score Prediction: Auburn. 31, Utah St. 9
Over/Under Prediction: 39.5
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