A Look at Auburn - By the Numbers

At 2-2 in the SEC and a three-game road trip in front of them, the Texas Aggie football team has a critical contest with the struggling Auburn Tigers. Aggie Websider's David Sandhop takes a look inside the numbers and what it tells us about Saturday night's game at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

It has been a disappointing season for the Auburn Tigers. At just 1-6 with the lone win coming in overtime over Louisiana-Monroe, there are rumblings about the status of head coach Gene Chizik. It’s been an amazing fall from grace for a coach and a program that was lifting up a national championship trophy just two years ago with Heisman winner Cam Newton. But since Newton’s departure to the NFL, Auburn has struggled with a 9-11 overall record and a 4-9 SEC mark. You only need to look at the statistics to see that the Tigers are coming up short on both sides of the line of scrimmage and in several critical performance measures.

If you compare Texas A&M and Auburn by the numbers, it’s really no comparison. It gets no more dramatic than a look at both offensive units where Texas A&M ranks No. 9 nationally in total offense while Auburn ranks No. 119 which is one spot from dead last in all of college football. On the defensive side of the ball, the once stingy Auburn defense is now ranked No. 95 in the country allowing 194 yards a game. They are tasked to defend the Texas A&M rushing attack that ranks No. 12 nationally.

The statistical bad news doesn’t stop there. Auburn’s pass defense efficiency rating ranks No. 90 in the nation and the unit will be matched up with the Aggies’ No. 17 ranked passing game. If Texas A&M fans want more statistical good news, then look no further than the turnover margin where the Aggies have actually struggled averaging -1.00 turnover margin a game. However, Auburn gives up the ball more at -1.43 turnover margin a game which No. 112 nationally.

The statistical good news for Aggie fans expands to third down conversion efficiency and sacks as well. Auburn’s offensive line has surrendered 24 sacks which is near the bottom of the NCAA at No. 113. IF that wasn’t concerning enough for Tiger fans, the Aggie pass rush led by Damontre Moore is one of the best in the nation collecting 21 sacks good for No. 12 in the country. The Tigers’ third down conversion anemic percentage of 28% ranks next to last in the nation while Texas A&M’s 51% third down conversion rate is good for No. 12 nationally.

Games aren’t won on paper, but based on the season statistics, the advantage does appear to be in Texas A&M’s court. Here’s a comparison of the numbers.


Total Offense

Texas A&M No. 9…..525 yds/g
Auburn No. 119…..276 yds/g


Rushing Offense

Texas A&M No. 19…..221 yds/g
Auburn No. 97…..122 yds/g


Passing Offense

Texas A&M No. 17…..303 yds/g
Auburn No. 113…..154 yds/g


Total Defense

Texas A&M No. 62…..393 yds/g
Auburn No. 75…..412 yds/g


Rushing Defense

Texas A&M No. 45…..138 yds/g
Auburn No. 95…..194 yds/g


Passing Efficiency Defense

Texas A&M No. 35
Auburn No. 90


Sacks

Texas A&M No. 12…..21 sacks
Auburn No. 63…..13 sacks


Sacks Allowed

Texas A&M No. 26…..15 sacks allowed
Auburn No. 113…..24 sacks allowed


Third Down Conversion Percentage

Texas A&M No. 12…..51% converted
Auburn No. 118…..28% converted


Turnover Margin

Texas A&M No. 103…..-1.00 margin/g
Auburn No. 112…..-1.43 margin/g