AUBURN, Alabama -- If its not broken, theres not much reason to fix it, and as big as the Iron Bowl was, the SEC Championship Game fits the kind of game that deserves a Matching Up broken down on a deeper level and spread out through the week. That allows us to take a closer look at the matchups as Auburn prepares to take on Missouri in an SEC Championship Game that few saw coming before this season kicked off. The numbers so far: Missouri ranks second in the SEC in rushing, piling up 236.9 yards per game, second only to Auburn in the SEC in rushing and almost 100 yards more per game than Gary Pinkels offense posted a year ago. Henry Josey is a great story after coming back from a catastrophic knee injury -- he tore his ACL, MCL and patellar tendon -- and he leads the team with 951 yards, but both Russell Hansbrough has 624 yards, and Marcus Murphy has 561 yards and nine touchdowns. In addition, quarterback James Franklin has 412 yards, allowing Missouri to attack a defense with fresh legs throughout the game. Auburns rush defense has given up 157.6 yards per game, 10th in the SEC, and struggled most against power or pro-style rushing attacks. Auburns run defense also struggled down the stretch, allowing more than 200 rushing yards to three of its final four opponents and five of eight SEC opponents. Key matchup: James Franklin vs. Auburns front four. Early in the season, Auburn struggled to contain mobile quarterbacks in the running game, and both Aaron Murray and AJ McCarron -- neither considered a dual-threat player -- have made big plays by pulling the ball down and scrambling in each of Auburns last two games. Franklin is a true dual threat, a good runner who rushed for more than 1,000 yards two years ago against Big 12 competition. Auburns defensive line has gotten good pressure in recent weeks, but they have to close down the pocket, or Franklin can pick up first downs with his feet. Franklin, at 230 pounds, is much bigger than any of Missouris running backs, making him the best short-yardage option. X-factor: Missouri running back Marcus Murphy. Murphy, who doubles as Mizzous kick returner and punt returner, is a big-play specialist with the kind of open-field ability to turn a big play into a game-breaking score. Despite having only 81 carries this season, Murphy has nine touchdowns, and hes got the open-field ability to take advantage of a mistake. What theyre saying at Auburn: I mean, theyve got a great run game. Theyre really balanced, like you said. For us its about first and second down, and controlling the lineup front. If we can handle it up front, then well get in opportune situations on third down, and thats what were trying to do. Were trying to go out there and play our game on first and second down and have some fun on third down. -- Auburn defensive end Nosa Eguae What theyre saying at Missouri: I dont know if anybody can really, really understand what (Josey) went through. First team all-conference Big 12 his sophomore year two years ago. When he had that knee injury, it was not an athletic injury, it was a car wreck injury. He had three surgeries. Dr. Pat Smith, were so fortunate here in Columbia, Missouri. Does a phenomenal job. ... When he broke out and ran that touchdown, they were trying to stop third-and-one, line of scrimmage, he got a crease, hes back. Hes fast. Ive never seen anybody catch him. -- Missouri coach Gary Pinkel What we think: Auburn has been much better against spread-out rushing attacks this season than traditional pro-style attacks, but the defense struggled in the first half against Tennessee and Rajion Neal, and Franklins the best runner at quarterback has faced since Auburn took on Johnny Manziel, and the most physical since Auburn played Mississippi States Dak Prescott. What makes Missouri so tough to defend on the ground is that theres virtually no way to load the box; the wealth of talent on the outside dictates that a team has to play two high safeties. Auburn did a solid job against a similar type of team in Texas A&Ms rushing attack, but the defense cant afford to allow a bust against Missouri, because the trio of backs can all break one wide-open. Auburns safeties, along with hybrid Robenson Therezie, will have to play a key role in open-field tackles, but Auburn has a tall task in trying to reverse the recent trend against the running game.
Posted on: Tue, 03 Dec 2013 20:41:20 +0000
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