AUBURN — Auburn football will host New Mexico at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday in its third straight home game of the 2024 season.
This is the first matchup between the Tigers and Lobos. Auburn holds a 6-0 record all-time against Mountain West Conference opponents.
Here’s our scouting report on the Lobos, and a score prediction for the matchup on Saturday (6:30 p.m. ESPN2/SEC Network+).
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All eyes on New Mexico QB Devon Dampier
New Mexico’s offense has recorded seven touchdowns this season, and Devon Dampier has either run or thrown for all seven. In the Lobos 61-39 loss to No. 20 Arizona, He finished with five total touchdowns, rushing for two andthrowing for three.
Dampier combined for 390 all-purpose yards against Arizona, leading his team in rushing and yards. Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze is well aware of Dampier and the New Mexico offense.
We’ve got to find some consistency. And that’s our job this week, to find that as we get ready to play New Mexico,” Freeze said. “They went toe to toe with (Arizona) and do some really, really good things, both offensively and defensively. So, it will be a good test our character as adversity always reveals what that is, and we’ll get to see that as we continue to try to build this program.”
Does New Mexico’s defense affect Tigers QB decision?
New Mexico has scored a touchdown on its first three turnovers so far this year. Two of those turnovers were snagged by Christian Ellis, who recovered a fumble in the season opener and an interception last week.
The Tigers offense committed five turnovers in last week’s 21-14 loss to Cal. Payton Thorne‘s four interceptions thrown posed the question on if he’ll get the start this week. Freeze has hinted about backup Hank Brown getting first-team reps during practice.
“Hank Brown will definitely get his share of reps this week. I expect them both to go about it the right way and go out and have a great week in practice,” Freeze said. “But again, I say now it’s at a point where it can’t just be the execution in practice that matters. We are going to have to have that carry over into the game.”
Score prediction
Auburn 21, New Mexico 14: This will be a bounce-back game for the Tigers after last week’s collapse to Cal. Auburn’s defense is capable of holding New Mexico to two scores. However, the offense will need a better showing to top the Lobos convincingly. Despite who is under center for the Tigers, a victory over New Mexico sets them up as they enter conference play.
This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Auburn football vs. New Mexico: Scouting report and score predictions
