Gainesville, Florida, will likely command the lion’s share of attention as the No.10 ranked Gators host No. 7 ranked Auburn in arguably the most anticipated matchup of Week 6.
The two SEC rivals both arrive into the game unbeaten with a perfect 5-0 record, which includes a 2-0 record against conference rivals. The fact this is the first time Gators and Tigers have locked horns since 2011 only adds to the intrigue of a matchup that could shape the outcome of the season for both teams.
There is little to choose between the two teams. The Tigers have been marginally more impressive on offense, scoring 38 points per game to Florida’s 34. Auburn has amassed 454 yards per game to the Gators’ 429.6, but Florida has a slight edge on the defensive side of the ball.
The Gators have conceded a mere 8.8 points per game and their 24 sacks are the second-best total in the country, while the Tigers have allowed 17.2 points per game.
Like most finely-poised matchups, the showdown between the two SEC rivals could well comedown to their respective quarterbacks.
Bo Nix has lacked consistency so far this season but has led the Tigers to wins over ranked opponents in the shape of Oregon and Texas A&M. The freshman signal caller has passed for 970 yards and seven touchdowns with two interceptions so far and shone in a 56-23 rout over Mississippi State last week.
Nix finished 16-for-21 for 335 yards and two touchdowns as Auburn improved to 5-0.
Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn, however, insisted his team still had plenty of room for improvement offensively. “We’ve still got work to do,” he was quoted as saying by AL.com. “I think we’re capable of being a good offense, we’ve just got to protect the football. We’ve got to get better at stopping the self-inflicted wounds”
Nix’s Florida counterpart, Kyle Trask, has performed brilliantly since an injury against Kentucky in Week 2 ruled starting quarterback Feleipe Franks out for the season.
Trask has completed 77.3 percent of his 66 passes since replacing Franks and has thrown for 647 yards and five touchdowns.
Last week, the junior quarterback completed 90 percent of his 20 passes, throwing for 188 yards and two touchdowns as the Gators routed the Towson Tigers 38-0.
In just his second start in college football, Trask completed his first 15 passes, giving him 18 straight completions dating back to the previous game and setting a new school record in the process.
“It’s pretty cool to be part of history like that, especially after all the great quarterbacks that have played here,” he was quoted as saying by the Associated Press. “I guess I felt a little more comfortable.”
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of Saturday.
When and where is the game?
The Florida Gators host the Auburn Tigers at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida, on Saturday, October 5.
Kick-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
TV coverage
The game will be broadcast nationally by CBS
Live stream
A live stream will be available via the CBS’s digital platforms, as well as via fuboTV.
Series record
The two programs have met 83 times, with Auburn holding a slight 43-38 lead in the all-time series. The Tigers have won the last three meetings against the Gators, including their last visit to Gainesville in 2007 when they prevailed 20-17.
Odds
According to Oddschecker, Auburn is a three-point favorite and is 97/100 to win and cover the spread, while Florida is a 6/5 underdog. The over/under bar in terms of total points scored is set at 41.5.