Auburn Football: Post-spring game-by-game predictions for 2019

Auburn has won the last two meetings against Texas A&M, including an absolutely improbable come-from-behind victory at Jordan-Hare last season. The Aggies led 24-14 with just over five-minutes to play, but then an Auburn offense that had been dormant all day came to life. Jarrett Stidham led the Tigers on back-to-back touchdown drives, hitting freshman receiver Seth Williams for an 11-yard touchdown pass with under two-minutes to play in what was effectively the game-winner.

Last year’s collapse is surely going to be on the mind of Jimbo Fisher and company as they welcome the Tigers to College Station in September. That loss last year was A&M’s final loss of the season. It reeled off four straight wins from there, and Fisher’s first season was largely a success.

While Texas A&M might still be a year away from serious contention in the SEC, it brings back a lot of talent, particularly on offense from a season ago. Dual-threat quarterback Kellen Mond took strides under Fisher’s tutelage, and another offseason working closely together should pay major dividends in 2019. Auburn’s secondary will be put to the test against a talented crop of Aggies receivers.

Like Auburn, Texas A&M also faces a murderers row in terms of their schedule, and this game at home will be a must-win if it wants any chance of matching last season’s win total. That’s likely to be a tough endeavor even if the Aggies come away with this win.

Look for Mond to deliver a couple of clutch plays in the fourth quarter, and for Texas A&M to not surrender a late lead again with the 12th man at its back.

Pick: Texas A&M 36, Auburn 27 (3-1, 0-1 SEC)