Joe Broback
Latest posts by Joe Broback (see all)
- Big Ten Championship: Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Wisconsin Badgers Game Preview - December 6, 2019
- SEC Championship: LSU Tigers vs. Georgia Bulldogs - December 5, 2019
- Big 12 Championship: Oklahoma Sooners vs. Baylor Bears - December 4, 2019
Injuries continue to play a role in the Florida Gators season, but they continue to fight adversity. They find themselves in a Top 10 matchup against a team that’s beginning to hit its stride. The Auburn Tigers used a Week 1 win over Auburn to launch their season into a 5-0 start. They’re led by a freshman quarterback in Bo Nix who exploded against Mississippi State last week. He gets his first look at a Top 10 team in a hostile environment, and his response does more than fans realize for the rest of the season.
Date: Saturday, October 5th
Start time: 2:30pm CT
How to watch: CBS
Line: Auburn -3
Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Gainesville, FL)
Florida Gators players to watch
QB Kyle Trask
WR Van Jefferson
DB Trey Dean III
LB Jonathan Greenard
Auburn Tigers players to watch
QB Bo Nix
DT Derrick Brown
DE Marlon Davidson
RB JaTarvious Whitlow
Florida Gators keys to the game
- Somehow stay healthy
- Get Trask involved early
- Win the line of scrimmage
Auburn Tigers keys to the game
- Nix the freshman mentality
- Defensive line plays big
- Pressure Trask
Why Florida wins
Is there a team that’s endured more injuries to key players than the Florida Gators? Staying healthy throughout this game becomes vital for the Gators. After that, it’s fairly simple. Kyle Trask plays a huge role in the outcome, and his involvement early is important to his confidence. Trask is almost better equipped to face Auburn’s front four given his size and ability to run and take hits. His passing will determine Florida’s success. If he provides a balanced attack, the Gators won’t have issues moving the ball.
Why Auburn wins
After a month of playing things safe, Bo Nix broke out against Mississippi State. Given how successful Auburn’s been with him playing conservative, a breakout should scare other SEC teams. If he continues playing at this level, Florida’s defense is in trouble. On defense, the focus turns to the line. Auburn’s defensive line already produced 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks in the first five games. With an unproven quarterback in Trask running things for Florida, their impact becomes key. The Gators’ offensive line has their hands full already.
Prediction
Auburn’s riding high through the first five games, and Bo Nix appears to have taken another step in his development. Florida’s still undefeated, but faces its toughest challenge yet. Whichever quarterback plays better could determine the outcome, and the question becomes if Auburn’s freshman can handle the atmosphere in Gainesville. AUBURN 24 FLORIDA 23
