Auburn Weekly Roundtable - Week 5 at Tennessee

Three road trips to three vaunted stadiums and a visit from the most polarizing figure in college football is a tall task, and it begins this Saturday as Auburn heads north to Neyland Stadium where they take on the Tennessee Volunteers in another renewal of a classic SEC rivalry this season.

This week, the crew is joined by Darrell Dapprich, Montgomery radio legend and member of the Locked on Auburn and Auburn Daily teams! Darrell will be on location at Neyland Stadium this week for Auburn’s game against the Volunteers!

What will Auburn's record be in the month of October and how will it get there?

ZAC BLACKERBY: 1-3. I want to believe they find a way to get one.

CHRISTIAN RAUH: 2-2. The Auburn Tigers are closer than a lot of people are giving them credit for. I think there are very advantageous games coming up, although the schedule certainly is tough. I believe they get wins against both Tennessee and LSU before October is over.

TREY LEE: Even before the season began, it was hard not to go ahead and pencil in Auburn to go 0-4 in the month of October with the caliber of opponents and the challenges they present.

I think the best case scenario is going 1-3, with the hope that you can go into Knoxville this week and knock off a reeling Volunteer team. I think the games against LSU and Ole Miss aren't as unattainable as people may be led to believe, but if Auburn starts losing momentum midway, it could be a rough October for the Tigers.

DARRELL DAPPRICH: 2-2 They will beat Tennessee and LSU

Where is Neyland Stadium ranked in your SEC Stadium rankings?

ZAC: Oh goodness. I’ll say somewhere around the middle. I’ve never been there but I’ve heard mixed reviews from folks who have experienced it.

CHRISTIAN: I'll say four. There are a few others that certainly impress me, but Neyland is also one of the best in the conference.

TREY: I'll say top 5 - here would be my current rankings:

1. Tiger Stadium (LSU)

2. Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (Florida)

3. Kyle Field (Texas A&M)

4. Jordan-Hare Stadium (Auburn)

5. Neyland Stadium (Tennessee)

I went back when Auburn played the Vols in 2013, and I was very high up on a very tiny seat on a rainy day, so my in-person opinion doesn't count for as much as the overall opinion.

DARRELL: About to find out. First time there this Saturday.

Favorite Auburn vs. Tennessee game & moment

ZAC: 2013 football. That rushing performance was insane.

CHRISTIAN: I'm going basketball with the 2019 SEC Tournament Championship Game. Auburn didn't just beat Tennessee. The Tigers ran them out of the building.

TREY: 2019 Basketball SEC Tournament Championship - Harper to Brown for the 3 had me so excited.

DARRELL: 2004 SEC Title game

Looking at Tennessee - who is a player on the Volunteers side of things that Auburn fans should keep an eye on heading into this weekend's game?

ZAC: I think DeSean Bishop is a stud. If Auburn’s run fits don’t improve, he could find some space.

CHRISTIAN: I'm a big fan of Xavier Gilliam. For only being a sophomore, he creates a lot of havoc already in the trenches.

TREY: A face that Auburn fans will remember is defensive back Kayin Lee. The former Auburn corner got a big pick over Cam Coleman last week and will look to keep Keshaun Singleton and Chaz Nimrod in check this week when the Tigers visit Neyland.

DARRELL: Their young QB - Faizon Brandon. He might not be 100%

What is your biggest question for Auburn heading into their first true road game of the year?

ZAC: Can Auburn get a fast start? I’m not worried about the noise or the adversity at the start of the game, I’m concerned about how the first quarter could go if Auburn’s offense struggled early again.

CHRISTIAN: How they'll handle the energy and emotion. It wasn't the best response for the SEC opener at Jordan-Hare. Neyland will most definitely be loud and exciting, and the young Auburn Tigers will need to find a way to handle it.

TREY: Can the offense continue to find ways to stay on the field? The nature of this offense being fast paced leads to the time of possession to look lopsided, and that happens whether they go 3 and out or score quickly. In order to take the next step, the offense needs to start strong and be more consistent.

DARRELL: Missed tackles

Who will be Auburn's standout player against the Volunteers this week?

ZAC: Give me Byrum Brown. I think he makes a statement.

CHRISTIAN: Give me Jared Smith. He didn't have the best game against Vanderbilt, but after Tennessee allowed 10 sacks last week to Texas, I think there's a strong opportunity that he can find himself in the backfield multiple times.

TREY: Omar Mabson is going to have a big day on the ground with the conditions being more conducive for the run game.

DARRELL: Jeremiah Koger

What challenges does Tennessee present that Auburn fans should be paying close attention to heading into Saturday's matchup?

ZAC: I think the Vols will do everything they can to run the football, especially if weather continues to be a factor like we think it could.

CHRISTIAN: Their defensive line is not getting enough credit, and I think it could cause some major troubles for Auburn's offensive line if they regress, as they are still looking for the right five to play every week.

TREY: The new look defense under Jim Knowles has looked really good this year. Specifically the defensive line.

DARRELL: They can rush the QB

Bold Prediction for Auburn vs. Tennessee

ZAC: The game has zero turnovers.

CHRISTIAN: Auburn Tigers with zero turnovers

TREY: No passing touchdowns for either team - only rushing.

DARRELL: Game will be in the teens because of nasty, rainy weather.

Who is your Winner of the Week?

Pick a former Auburn Tiger in any sport that has had a great week

ZAC: Since everyone else will probably go with Koivun, I’ll shoutout Carlton Davis with the Pats. Despite getting waxed by Jacksonville, Davis is in a tough spot being the guy opposite Christian Gonzalez.

CHRISTIAN: For the second week in a row, I'll have to go with Jackson Koivun. He didn't lose a single match in the Presidents Cup, the only player to do so. Doing that as a rookie is absolutely impressive.

TREY: Jackson Koivun. No other words necessary.

DARRELL: Jackson Kouvin

Predictions & Final Score for Auburn vs. Tennessee

ZAC: Tennessee 31 Auburn 21

CHRISTIAN: This is going to be a very tough game, but I like the direction the defense is going in following the Vanderbilt game, and I think they can complete the upset. Give me Auburn 24, Tennessee 21.

TREY: The weather is going to play a factor in this game, and both teams are going to lean heavy on their run games.

Auburn gets a signature win under Alex Golesh and Tennessee stumbles down the stretch, ultimately firing Heupel this year.

Auburn 17 Tennessee 7

DARRELL: 17-13 Auburn

Join us Friday as we break down more across the college football landscape!