[Lincecumstain]

Saturday's Pick 10 Dime - Auburn

Auburn looks to rebound after a pathetic performance in a 44-23 loss at Arkansas last Saturday that dropped the Tigers from the ranks of the unbeaten. Their defense, not the greatest to begin with, was shredded for 495 yards by the Razorbacks in a game that was even more one-sided than the final score indicated. But the SEC schedule-makers have given Auburn a favorable opponent to rebound against as injury-riddled Kentucky comes to town.

The Wildcats are coming off a heart-breaking -- and costly -- loss to South Carolina, 28-26, a game in which starting quarterback Mike Hartline suffered a knee injury. That means either untested junior Will Fidler, who completed 2-of-8 passes against the Gamecocks for 16 yards (5-for-13 on the season), or true freshman Morgan Newton, whom Kentucky planned to redshirt, will get the starting nod against Auburn.

Auburn's defense leaves much to be desired, but Kentucky does not have the talent to exploit those flaws. The same cannot be said about the Wildcat D, a unit that is the SEC's worst against the run, allowing 178 yards per game, including 362 to Florida and 204 to Alabama. The 'Cats will be hard-pressed to stop the Tiger backfield duo of Ben Tate (724 yards, 6.1 ypc) and Onterio McCalebb (439 yards, 6.0 ypc).

The Tigers can also attack through the air as QB Chris Todd is averaging 227 yards per game with 12 TDs thanks to excellent protection that's resulted in him being sacked just five times on the season. Todd will face a banged-up Kentucky secondary missing All-America cornerback Trevard Lindley.

Although this is the first meeting between these two since 2005, this has been a one-sided series dominated by Auburn as the Tigers have won the last 15 match-ups straight-up, a streak that dates back to 1966. The Tigers have also covered five of the last six clashes.

Auburn is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS at home this season with the only pointspread setback coming in a 54-30 rout of Ball State when the Tigers were laying 30' points in non-conference tilt played one week after a big second-half rally secured a 41-30 win and cover as a 7-point home chalk against West Virginia.

[Jack Rebney]

thank you!!!

[PhamTom]

thanks!

[khaden]

does anyone like this? I think Kent could make this a close one?!?!?

I should have listened to my own advice--played auburn--Demarco has really sucked lately--