When the Alabama Crimson Tide return to the football field Saturday afternoon, they will be doing so up against what is their biggest rival, the Auburn Tigers.
The Tigers will come to Tuscaloosa with a lot to play for as well, as Auburn currently sits at 5-6 overall on the season, and will need a win in order to become bowl-eligible. That will be no easy task however, with Alabama also having a lot to play for in terms of needing a big win to keep any potential College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Make no mistake thought, Auburn is certainly a talented team, and have all the pieces needed to give the Crimson Tide problems in the Iron Bowl on Saturday.
Here are five Auburn Tigers that you need to know ahead of their trip to Tuscaloosa on Saturday for the Iron Bowl:
Jarquez Hunter, Running Back
2024 Stats: 174 rushes, 1,145 rushing yards, 8 TD, 21 receptions, 155 receiving yards, 1 TD
Likely the biggest name to know for Auburn is senior running back Jarquez Hunter, who is a career 3,000+ yard rusher who is in the midst of a career-year with the Tigers, and across the his time with the Tigers, has a combined 28 carries for 229 yards vs. Alabama. Over 174 carries this season, Hunter has amassed a career-high 1,145 rushing yards with eight touchdowns, and is currently leading the SEC with an average of 6.6 yards per carry.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Wide Receiver
2024 Stats: 42 receptions, 865 yards, 8 TD
Auburn’s most productive wide receiver this season has been senior KeAndre Lambert-Smith, who is a transfer from Penn State who is also in the midst of a career-year with the Tigers. The senior currently leads the Tigers offense with 42 receptions for 865 yards, while also leading the SEC with eight touchdown receptions.
Payton Thorne, Quarterback
2024 Stats: 63.4 CMP%, 2,412 passing yards, 20:8 TD:INT ratio, 102 rushes, 241 rushing yards, 2 TD
Auburn’s quarterback is a familiar face to Alabama fans in Payton Thorne, a senior who completed 5-of-16 passes for 91 yards, a touchdowns, and two interceptions, while also rushing for 57 yards on 15 attempts, against the Crimson Tide a year ago. This season, Thorne is having likely the top season of his collegiate career, completing 63.4% of passes for 2,412 yards and a 20:8 TD:INT ratio.
Cam Coleman, Wide Receiver
2024 Stats: 30 receptions, 520 yards, 7 TD
While the Crimson Tide have one of the nation’s top freshman wide receivers in Ryan Williams, the same can also be said for Auburn in Cam Coleman. The star freshman has been one of Auburn’s top receivers this season, amassing 520 yards and seven touchdowns on 30 receptions.
Jalen McLeod, Linebacker
2024 Stats: 48 tackles, 13 TFL, 7 sacks, 1 PD, 1 FR
Lastly, the Tigers have a few names to know on defense such as Dorian Mausi and Keldric Faulk, among others, but if there is one in particular that stands out, it might be senior linebacker Jalen McLeod. The senior had seven tackles and one TFL against Alabama a year ago, and is currently enjoying a career-year in which he has 48 tackles, 13 TFL, and seven sacks, the latter two of which lead Auburn’s defense.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: 5 Tigers to know ahead of Alabama vs. Auburn
