Determined to get back to the title game, the Auburn Tigers have cruised through two games this season. The No. 5 ranked SEC West team has yet to be challenged even though their opponents in the first two games were not much to brag about. However, the team is getting into the meat of their schedule now as they prepare to face off against Kansas State on Thursday night.
Auburn first dominated San Jose State 59-13 and then beat up on Arkansas 45-21, putting up huge numbers on the ground. The Tigers are certainly not missing Tre Mason from last season as they have had 358 yards and 302 yards respectively in the first two games. The combination of quarterback Nick Marshall, Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant is proving very successful for Gus Malzahn.
If Auburn needs improving, it is in the passing game. Marshall is not known for having a good arm, but has yet to really need it. He went 10 for 19 for 101 yards and a touchdown back on Sept. 6 and that will need to improve as the Tigers prepare to face LSU, South Carolina, Mississippi and Texas A&M in the coming weeks. There is no questioning that the Tigers offense is one of the best in the nation, but the unbalanced aspect of it has Malzahn concerned.
Kansas State comes in ranked at No. 20, but understands that beating Auburn is a tall order and not an easy task as head coach Bill Snyder does not see a weakness in the Tigers. The wildcats beat Iowa State 32-28 in the opener after allowing 28 straight points to an FCS school the week before. They relied on quarterback Jake Waters to get the game-winning drive.
Waters is also a dual-threat quarterback. He passed for 239 yards while running for 138 yards against the Cyclones. That could pose a threat for the Tigers who will be without top safety Jermaine Whitehead in the secondary. He is suspended for violating team rules. Auburn has won their last three matchups against Kansas State while the Wildcats have lost six straight games to nonconference Top 25 opponents.