The Pick: West Virginia Plus the Points
Why?
The answer is two-fold. Lets start with Auburn.
Auburn: Auburn is the only team in the nation with two running backs averaging 100 yards a game. They have posted back to back games with more than 500 yards of total offense for the first time since the late 70′s and is ranked in the top five nationally in total offense and rushing offense. Auburn is 17-3 in night games this decade in front of the 80,000 fans cheering wildly for them at Jordan-Hare. So you are thinking, “And I am taking West Virginia because?” Well those gaudy numbers are part Malzahn’s slick offense and part defensive debauchery by the likes of Louisiana Tech and SEC bottom feeder Mississippi State. The same Louisiana Tech football team humbled by real life world beaters Navy (32-14) and a rebuilding (not that their was much to tear down) Mississippi State Bulldogs (lone win versus FCS Jackson State). So what have we learned about Auburn? I would venture to say nothing. They have not seen the type of athlete West Virginia lines up on defense.
WVU: Jarret Brown has been nothing short of phenomenal in his two games as starter this season. While game one was against FCS Liberty and thus not considered as a true team barometer, JB was spectacular against defending conference champion East Carolina. I would expect the same tonight against a fast Auburn defense. The WVU Ariel tack has taken off this year and playmakers on the outside (Arnett, Austin, Sanders, Lyons) should pose quite a challenge for the Auburn corners who struggled early last week.
If WVU can survive the initial punch and doesnt get wide eyed over the 88,000 wearing Navy and Orange, they will win the game outright. This WVU team can do something special if they can navigate this tough one down south.
WVU – 34 – Auburn -24
