No. 18 Auburn coping with injuries, faces FCS Alabama A&M
Alabama A&M (4-6) at No. 18 Auburn (7-3, No. 15 CFP), 7:30 p.m. (SEC Network)
Line: No line.
Series record: Auburn leads 1-0.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Auburn is trying to get an injury-plagued offense back on track, minus RB Kamryn Pettway and possibly QB Sean White. Alabama A&M is receiving a guaranteed $515,000 payday.
KEY MATCHUP
Auburn's passing game versus Alabama A&M's defense. The Tigers' White, who is questionable with a shoulder injury, passed for just 27 yards in a loss to Georgia. A one-dimensional approach won't work in the regular season finale against No. 1 Alabama, especially if Pettway remains out with a left leg injury.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alabama A&M: RB Jordan Bentley is third in the Southwestern Athletic Conference in scoring with 10 touchdowns, which is tied for the FCS lead among freshmen. Bentley's 848 yards is second-best among freshmen in the FCS.
Auburn: The quarterbacks. If White can't go, the Tigers could turn to either backup John Franklin III, who's more of a runner than passer, or former starter Jeremy Johnson. Or both could play considerable action to give coaches a better picture of their options behind White.
FACTS & FIGURES
Pettway, who missed the Georgia game, is out for this one as well. He's the Southeastern Conference's leading rusher. H-back Chandler Cox, backup TB Stanton Truitt and WR Marcus Davis are also out with injuries, among others. ... Auburn won 51-7 in the only previous meeting, in 2012. ... Auburn is tied with Indiana for the national lead with 57 passes broken up. ... Alabama A&M QB De'Angelo Ballard leads the SWAC in total offense with 1,894 passing yards and 682 rushing yards. ... Bulldogs assistant head coach Andy Fuller is a former All-Southeastern Conference tight end at Auburn.