Know the Enemy 2024: Auburn Tigers Football

A friend answers our questions

credit: calbears.com

We asked our friend to answer some questions about Auburn football, and Kyle graciously answered the call to be our go-to expert for the upcoming matchup.

EDITOR’S NOTE: Some answers were edited slightly for clarity. Any additional input provided will be clearly denoted with “WFC:” at the start

What would you recommend to a traveling Cal fan to get the full Auburn gameday experience (include places to go, best traditions, things to eat, etc.) and why?

I love this question because there is so much to experience in Auburn, not just on game day. The fact that kickoff is at 2:30 CT will cause some time constraints for Cal fans, unfortunately. You MUST try Toomer’s Lemonade from Toomer’s Drugs downtown. Pro tip: You need to try the original flavor, but if you have two or more in your party have someone else order the strawberry lemonade with real strawberry bits (my favorite). If you can find time to eat at Momma Goldberg’s Deli, that is a very Auburn dining option I recommend. For traditions, you will need to experience Tiger Walk which starts two hours before kickoff. If you want a good view I would recommend being somewhere on the route 45 mins before it starts, which should be 12:30 CT. I’d be settled in your seat at least 30 min before kickoff. You can’t miss the greatest animal-based tradition in college sports, the War Eagle flight. You might even catch the fever and join in the chant. It’s that good!

Has the perception around Hugh Freeze, who from the outside appears to be brought in to be Nick Saban's kryptonite, changed at all since Saban has retired?

Well, if that was the goal, looks like it worked. He’s gone! It is a shame we won’t get to see more matchups with them since Freeze is one of the few coaches to have legitimate success against Saban. I don’t think the departure changes anything for Hugh's perception, but certainly has opened a wound in the armor that Alabama has built. Need proof? Take a look at who’s dominating the state of Alabama recruiting for the 2025 class, the first full class without Saban.

Which player on offense should Cal fans know about?

The one offensive player you need to know is freshman WR Cam Coleman. You will hear a lot of talk about him if you have not already. Some Auburn fans, even after only one game, believe he will be Auburn’s greatest WR ever. To be honest, there’s a chance they might be right. He is a physical specimen who Auburn will likely target throughout the game. Whether he has a great game or not, you will impress Auburn fans by expressing your awareness of his potential and the threat he is to the Cal defense. 

What questions, concerns, or praises do you have about the Auburn offense, especially comparing this year's offense to that of last year, after dropping 73 points in the season opener against Alabama A&M?

The praise is more than even just comparing to last year’s offense. It’s been a long time since Auburn’s offense absolutely destroyed someone they were supposed to. It was refreshing and odd to see the decimation and how quickly it occurred. My concern and question is can it be sustained? OC Derrick Nix has challenged all of the offensive guys with the goal of 40 points per game. It’s not the most lofty goal ever unless you look at Auburn’s recent offensive history. I might be a little hesitant to buy fully in just yet, but I’m happy to say they are making it much easier to do so.

Which player on defense should Cal fans know about?

The one defensive player you need to know is CB Keionte Scott. He is arguably Auburn’s strongest NFL prospect on either side of the ball and is the anchor for a DB room that is reeling from all the talent they lost. Cal’s offense will do well to avoid throwing in his direction. If he gets a chance to claim an interception, he is at an immediate risk of taking it back to the house the other way. The big question: Will any nagging injuries pop up for him again at any point of the season? Hopefully,  not against the Golden Bears.

How do you calibrate expectations with the new crop of talented freshmen coming into the fold?

Honestly, I could use some help with that. I’m been fighting the losing battle to temper Auburn fans’ expectations for this team simply because of all the freshman talent at positions like WR. I try to remind people of how far the program has fallen, because of its own poor decisions and how turnarounds like 2013 aren’t the norm. The freshmen aren’t helping my efforts to quell the over-exuberance, which frankly I’m okay with. I’d love to be wrong for waving a caution flag on this season. 

Who’s one under-the-radar or X-factor player who could swing this game for you?

This one could be under the radar or X-factor, but also almost too obvious. It’s quarterback Payton Thorne. He has been under serious fan criticism basically since the Cal game last year (thanks for starting that by the way). The reality is he has had very little support around him, until now. So many weapons at his disposal in the passing game are already starting to show dividends for him from fall practice onward. He’s under the radar because there are currently still low expectations for him. He’s also the X-factor because if the positive trend for second-year transfer QBs holds here, he literally could be the reason Auburn goes on a crazy run this season.

What does Auburn need to do to win the game?

Offensively, Auburn has to make Cal respect the passing game. The running game needs that to be successful and take some of the pressure off Jarquez Hunter and the rest of the running attack. I would say two passing TDs are essential in this game, maybe all of them going forward. Defensively, Auburn must play off their incredible home-field advantage and force a turnover or two. Those two things coupled together will spell disaster for Cal in Jordan-Hare.

What does Cal need to do to win the game?

Offensively, Cal needs to establish their run game. It doesn’t need to be amazing, but it needs to be consistent. Long sustained drives backed by a confident run game are Cal’s best bet to quell Jordan-Hare’s fervor. Defensively, it’s simple. Hang onto the ball. Possessions are a premium on the road, especially within the confines of Jordan-Hare. Give Auburn’s offense one or two extra chances to score and that could be all she wrote for Cal.

How do you see the game going?

Personally, I expect a competitive game for the majority of it. Even if Cal were able to score first, I do believe Auburn will reclaim it quickly and hang onto it most of the game. I do expect Cal to make several big swings to keep it within a touchdown until the 4th quarter. Eventually, Auburn’s home-field advantage will wear down the Bears and/or force one too many mistakes. Final score prediction: Auburn 31, Cal 14.

We don't condone violence at W4C, but we like this question as an opportunity for folks to air it out. Whom do you most want to punch in the face?

Same beliefs here, but let’s play the game. Answer: Any Alabama fan that celebrates what the late Harvey Updyke did to the original Toomer’s Corner oak trees. Long story for another day, but do look it up. It’s the epitome of what it means to be the stereotypical Alabama fan, and sadly too many of them openly celebrate his behavior.