In order for yet another epic Iron Bowl to take place at season’s end, both Alabama and Auburn need to take care of its business between now and then.
Through the first 30 minutes in Week 11, the latter’s not holding up its end. At all.
With two quarters in the books at Jordan-Hare, Texas A&M is stunning Auburn 35-17. True freshman Kyle Allen, in just his second start, is doing the most damage, tossing a career-high four touchdown passes in the first half.
Allen’s lone mistake, an interception late in the second quarter, actually turned into points (eventually) as the Aggies blocked a 41 -yard field-goal attempt on the ensuing possession and Deshazor Everett returned it for a touchdown with no time remaining on the first-half clock. That pick was just Allen’s fourth incompletion in 16 attempts.
Neither defense was able to do much of anything, with the Aggies rolling up 274 yards of offense and the Tigers 255.
The Tigers are not only losing on the scoreboard but on the personnel side as well. AU will be forced to play the second half without its leading receiver, D’haquille Williams (37-598-5) went down with a lower-leg injury and has already been ruled out from returning.
If Auburn, which will receive the second-half kickoff, is unable to mount a comeback in the second half, it would be a significant, if not fatal, blow to the No. 3 Tigers’ College Football Playoff hopes.
