Auburn vs. Louisiana-Monroe Prediction, Game Preview

Auburn vs. Louisiana-Monroe prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the matchup between the Tigers and Warhawks from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Auburn vs. Louisiana-Monroe Game Preview

When: Saturday, October 1 – 3:30 p.m. ET
Where: Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, AL
TV Broadcast: SEC Network

Auburn earned a big victory this past Saturday, topping SEC West rival LSU for a 18-13 victory. The defense has been stout for the Tigers, but the offense is sputtering, especially when in the red zone. Head coach Gus Malzahn gave up play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee before the LSU game, but finding the end zone remains a problem.

Louisiana-Monroe is coming off a bye week that was much needed after two losses in a row to Oklahoma and Georgia Southern. The Warhawks offense is led by quarterback Garrett Smith, who has thrown for 742 yards and six touchdowns and rushed for 177 yards and two scores.

What To Know About Auburn

If the Auburn offense wants to be taken seriously, it will have to start finding a way to score six points instead of settling for another Daniel Carlson field goal. Whether it is play-calling or execution, the points have not come, and the Tigers are wasting great efforts by the defense. With Lashlee taking over play-calling duties, nothing new will be seen on the field, as everything he knows, he learned from Malzahn.

What To Know About Louisiana-Monroe

The Warhawks count on Smith to move the offense with both his arm and legs, as he leads the team in both passing and rushing yards. Finding his main target, wide receiver R.J. Turner, will be key if Smith is given time against an Auburn pass rush that can create havoc in opposing backfields.

While Louisiana-Monroe did give up 59 points to Oklahoma, the Tigers are not nearly as explosive. If ever there were a major FBS team the Warhawks defense has a chance to disrupt, Auburn is it. However, ULM hasn’t been exactly great on that side of the ball, ranking No. 104 in scoring defense and No. 112 in total defense.

Advantages

Offense: Tie. All that talent, and Auburn just can’t find the right mix.

Defense: Auburn. The tackling has been far better this season than in the past several.

Special Teams: Auburn. Daniel Carlson has become automatic.

Coaching: Tie. Matt Viator finally got his FBS chance this year after 12 seasons at McNeese State.

Intangibles: Louisiana-Monroe. Chance to win against an SEC opponent doesn’t come often.

Matchup To Watch

Auburn defensive line vs. UL-Monroe offensive line

Defensive lineman Carl Lawson finally showed up in the win against LSU. Add in Marlon Davidson and company, and the Warhawks offensive line could be in for a long day.

Betting Odds

Spread: Auburn -33
Over/Under: N/A