Auburn Football: 3 Reasons Tigers will upset Penn State

Auburn can win in the trenches

Nix has been spectacular for Auburn football during the first two weeks of the season but the running game has been just as impressive.

In fact, both of Auburn’s top two running backs are averaging more than 10 yards per rushing attempt. Tank Bigsby and Jarquez Hunter have been explosive in two weeks and while they won’t have the same production against Penn State, they are still going to be a focal point.

Auburn needs to keep Nix in manageable situations and run the ball to also try to limit Penn State’s pass rush.

The Nittany Lions defense is stout and is allowing less than three yards per attempt, but with Nix also capable in the running game Auburn will find more success than Wisconsin, which averaged just three yards per carry, but saw Chez Mellusi go for over 100.

Auburn doesn’t have to dominate on the ground, but the Tigers do need to win the rushing battle and they will. Penn State football hasn’t really invested a lot in the run yet this season.

It wasn’t all that successful against Wisconsin and Ball State is, well, Ball State. Penn State’s leading rusher is Noah Cain and he’s only got 112 yards.

If Auburn football can limit the Penn State ground game the way the Badgers did, the pass rush will tee off and that’s a recipe for success.