As the California Golden Bears prepare to take on the Auburn Tigers, the anticipation builds around this first real defining matchup between each other. California’s defense has shown signs of improvement in the second half of the UC Davis game last week, but can they effectively contain Auburn’s dynamic offense, led by quarterback Payton Thorne? On the other hand, California’s offense must find a way to penetrate a formidable Auburn defense that dominated in their last outing. The stakes feel high, and the outcome could very well hinge on key moments and strategic decisions. So, what factors might tip the scale in favor of one team over the other?
As the anticipation builds for the showdown between California and Auburn, fans are eagerly marking their calendars for Saturday, September 7, 2024, at 3:30 pm ET. This matchup, taking place at the iconic Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, AL, promises to deliver an electric atmosphere, and viewers can catch all the action live on ESPN2.
In this game analysis, the key matchups will undeniably be vital in determining the final score. Auburn’s newly built defense will face off against California’s balanced offense, setting the stage for a eye revealing battle. Answering questions on how Auburn’s new defense can handle a conference schools offense whose running back was ranked first in rushing yards last year in the Pac-12?
One key factor to watch will be Auburn’s defensive line, which will need to pressure California’s quarterback effectively to disrupt their rhythm. Conversely, California’s secondary will be tested against Auburn’s dynamic passing game, making for a compelling clash of styles. Cal’s secondary played a real “soft” last week, playing off their man 10 yards. It is a real test to see Thorne read an established zone defense. With his accuracy last week though he should be able to “slice and dice” this secondary,
Auburn’s explosive performance in their season opener against Alabama A&M sets the stage for an exciting matchup ahead. The Tigers dominated the game, winning 73-3 and showcasing their offensive prowess right from the start. Leading 52-3 at halftime, Auburn outgained Alabama A&M 628-240, proving their ability to move the ball effectively.
Quarterback Payton Thorne was a standout, throwing for 322 yards and four touchdowns, while running back Jarquez Hunter added a solid rushing game with 53 yards and a score. I expect to see more of Hunter this week who is Auburns premier RB1. Hunter missed a lot of last season with an injury but is back to full strength this year. Week 1 he was making all the right cuts and sprints to cut through Alabama A&M defense like a hot knife on butter.
With this momentum, Auburn looks poised to tackle their next challenges against New Mexico and Arkansas. Let’s see if they can keep this fire burning!
The California Golden Bears kicked off their season with a solid victory against UC Davis, showcasing resilience and determination. After trailing 13-7 in the second quarter, Cal rallied impressively, scoring the final 24 points of the game. These 24 points scored in the second half came off two key turnovers for Cal that gave them outstanding field position. Not sure if the offense ever really picked up a rythm in this game. Key note to factor in is RB Ott sat out with an injury in the third quarter and never came back in the game. Cal Coach has already stated Jayden will travel with the team to Auburn but still has him listed on probable status. Injury appeared to be an ankle twist but Ott walked off the field.
On the defensive side, California employed effective strategies that included forcing three turnovers, which played a pivotal role in flipping the momentum. The Bears struggled a bit on third down, going 2-13, but their 3-4 success on fourth down showed a willingness to take risks. Usually when a team is going for it on fourth down you can smell the desperation like a weird high school kid trying to get a prom date at the last second.
With the highest margin of vistory in a Auburn game since 1932 confidence is soaring for the Auburn Tigers following a dominating 73-3 victory over Alabama A&M in their season opener. This impressive win showcases their offensive strengths and sets a promising tone for the season ahead. Quarterback Payton Thorne was a standout, throwing for 322 yards, which highlights his role as a key player in the squad. Although Coach Freeze was unimpressed with some of Thornes tactics. Such as making some errounous throws into double coverage or not making the right read. Who doesn’t like to see a Head Coach yell at a QB who threw for over 300 yards and 4 touchdowns? The true take away from last weeks game is the impressive upgrade at the wide receiver core for Auburn. During the offseason Auburn made some impressive moves to attain a couple of 5 star receivers which has obviously improved this offense from last season.
On the defensive side, Auburn displayed significant improvements, allowing only 36 rushing yards and 204 passing yards throughout the game. This level of performance suggests they’ve sharpened their focus on stopping the run, a necessity for future matchups. Especially in the SEC and the main focus to always establish the run before throwing the ball.
With these updates on both sides of the ball, the Tigers are clearly looking to bounce back from last season’s struggles. Fans are excited to see how they carry this momentum forward.
California’s journey in their new Atlantic Coast Conference home is off to a mixed start. After a 31-13 victory over UC Davis, it’s clear there are both bright spots and areas needing attention. While the win is a positive, the team faced significant offensive struggles, especially in the first half where moving the ball proved challenging. This inconsistency could pose issues as they advance into tougher matchups.
On the flip side, one of the highlights has been QB Fernando Mendoza’s performance. He showcased a solid 68% completion rate, which hints at his potential to lead the offense effectively. If he can maintain that level of efficiency, it will be essential for California as they adapt to their new conference.
Defensively, the Bears appear to be undergoing some improvements from last season, when they allowed a staggering 32.8 points per game. Early signs suggest that they may have found ways to shore up their defense, which could be a game-changer as they face more formidable opponents.
Here’s a quick look at some key factors to take into account:
| Category | Auburn | California |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 Performance | Dominated Alabama A&M | Struggled vs UC Davis |
| Previous Meeting | Won 14-10 | Lost 14-10 |
| Offensive Outlook | Strong passing game | Questionable offense |
| Prediction | Favor by two scores | Under pressure |
Yes, last year Auburn barely beat Cal in California but were a struggling offense at the time. With all the new weapons on offense for Auburn and a better stacked defense I could see Auburn winning by more than two touchdowns in this game. Especially in Jordan-Hare where the student section is highly respected. Typically I do not take such high spreads though so to mitigate the high numbers I parlayed Texas -2.5 at -260 and Auburn -5.5 at -230 to get -101.
