The sixth-ranked Auburn Tigers take on the Louisville Cardinals this afternoon in college football action. The game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on CBS. Currently the odds for the game have the Tigers favored at home by double digits to get the win.
Auburn is replacing quite a bit this season, but they're still opening the season ranked inside the Top 10 nationally. There's only five starters back on the offensive end, including two receivers but three offensive linemen. Jeremy Johnson takes over the offense from the quarterback position. He's some some time on the field during the past couple of years and looks the part of an SEC quarterback that also has some good footwork.
Johnson will be looking to get the football to D'haquille Williams and Melvin Ray. Williams caught five touchdowns and better than 700 yards of receptions last season, he's an explosive guy that could take the top off a Louisville defense that brings back four starters, all on the front line or in the linebacking corps. The secondary is very green and could go through some growing pains this season, if the front seven can't put pressure consistently on Johnson the Cardinals could be giving up some unfavorable yardage.
Much like Auburn, Louisville is very young on the offensive side of the football. They bring back just three starters, two on the offensive line and one in the receiving corps. The Cardinals are going to be breaking in quite a few new players and against a very fast SEC defense like the Tigers that can be troublesome.
Louisville has about four guys that could take snaps today under center and the Cardinals have been keeping it pretty close to the vest in that regard. Whether or not Bobby Petrino has officially decided on a starter will have to wait until right before kickoff, but many believe the starter has already been informed and that will be sophomore Reggie Bonnafon.
This game is being played at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Both teams should be well-represented, and although both teams are young Auburn has the edge. The Tigers are laying double digits on a neutral site in the opening game of the season, they seem to be better equipped to start the season tomorrow, and they have speed.
Free Pick: Auburn and the points
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Vegas betting expert Steve Fezzik doesn’t expect the bad situation in Oakland to get much better this season. This AFC West team may have some improvements in terms of personnel, but Jack Del Rio is the latest in a carousel of ever-changing mediocre coaches, and Fezzik doesn’t expect he is the guy to turn this team around. He also thinks people are overstating Derek Carr’s abilities at quarterback, as he may do well in the fourth quarter, but his numbers are padded with garbage time performance.
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