Auburn -2.5 (3*)
I think they 'mystique' of Dunn and the Miss St defense is starting to fade. Starting with last season and continuing into this season, teams are converting big plays and gaining tons of yards against the Miss St D. They don't appear to have the same talent level as 3-4 years ago on that side of the ball. Oregon whipped them to open the season...sure, they had a new QB playing his first game, but Fresno went into Eugene with a frosh QB and outplayed Oregon for the most part. Miss St was never in their game against Oregon...totally outclassed on both sides of the ball. I'm not that concerned with Auburn's play vs. Vandy...terrible weather , and regardless of fumble recoveries, etc., they still rolled comfortably by 25. Auburn proved themselves in their first game at USC...Trojans are very good team this year..Auburn travelled out west and had a solid showing versus one of the top teams in what has been the strongest conference thus far in the 2002 NCAA season. I rate Auburn's D as a stronger unit than Miss St's offense...conversely, I put Auburn's offense even or slightly better than Miss St's D...I don't think they will shutdown Williams even if they key on him. With the spread under a FG, a decided advantage having Duval.
Good luck!
I think they 'mystique' of Dunn and the Miss St defense is starting to fade. Starting with last season and continuing into this season, teams are converting big plays and gaining tons of yards against the Miss St D. They don't appear to have the same talent level as 3-4 years ago on that side of the ball. Oregon whipped them to open the season...sure, they had a new QB playing his first game, but Fresno went into Eugene with a frosh QB and outplayed Oregon for the most part. Miss St was never in their game against Oregon...totally outclassed on both sides of the ball. I'm not that concerned with Auburn's play vs. Vandy...terrible weather , and regardless of fumble recoveries, etc., they still rolled comfortably by 25. Auburn proved themselves in their first game at USC...Trojans are very good team this year..Auburn travelled out west and had a solid showing versus one of the top teams in what has been the strongest conference thus far in the 2002 NCAA season. I rate Auburn's D as a stronger unit than Miss St's offense...conversely, I put Auburn's offense even or slightly better than Miss St's D...I don't think they will shutdown Williams even if they key on him. With the spread under a FG, a decided advantage having Duval.
Good luck!
