What we know heading into Kentucky vs. Auburn

Kentucky is back at home at Kroger Field for the fifth night kickoff of the season. Auburn is coming to town still looking for its first win against a power conference foe after a 2-5 start. Both teams are having seasons that are teetering as October comes to a close.

After a week of previewing the SEC matchup, now feels like the proper time to take a step back and recap what we learned this week. What does Kentucky need to do to end this seven-game SEC losing streak at home?

Let’s dive in.

Auburn offense is explosive but struggles to score points

Auburn’s offense enters this matchup with Kentucky ranked No. 13 nationally in yards per play and No. 46 in offensive success rate. Jarquez Hunter is packing a rushing attack that ranks No. 29 nationally in yards per non-sack rush, and Payton Throne ranks No. 2 nationally in completions of 40-plus yards.

Despite numerous gaudy statistics, Hugh Freeze‘s offense ranks No. 109 in points per drive. How is that possible? The Tigers are very bad in multiple key situational areas.

Freeze’s offense ranks No. 72 in third down conversion rate, No. 99 in red zone touchdown percentage, and has 16 turnovers through seven games. When scoring opportunities end in field goal attempts, Towns McGough is only 5-of-10 on kicks with two misses from less than 40 yards. This offense has big problems finishing drives.

If Kentucky wins on Saturday, Auburn’s inability to finish scoring chances will likely play a big role.

Auburn secondary is extremely young

Hugh Freeze went to the transfer portal to supplement the wide receiver position with some experience while some talented young blue-chip recruits developed. The opposite has been true in the secondary.

Texas safety transfer Jerrin Thompson is playing a big role for D.J. Durkin‘s secondary, but the super senior is surrounded by first-year and second-year players. True sophomore Kayin Lee is the team’s top cornerback, but CB2 Jay Crawford and safety Kaleb Harris were each playing high school football last season. Redshirt freshman Sylvester Smith has stepped in at nickel. Auburn is extremely young in the backend.

Establishing a consistent run game against a big Auburn defensive front that ranks No. 13 nationally in non-sack yards per rush could be difficult, but throw game success can be found against this front. Oklahoma, Georgia, and Missouri starting quarterbacks all went over eight yards per attempt against this secondary.

Kentucky will likely need a big performance from Brock Vandagriff, Dane Key, and the rest of that Kentucky passing game on a chilly night at Kroger Field.

Auburn owns Kentucky in Lexington

Kentucky and Auburn have been members of the Southeastern Conference since 1932. Despite being in the same league for nearly 100 years, these two programs have only met on the gridiron 34 times. The 35th meeting will occur on Saturday night at Kroger Field.

Kentucky enters Saturday’s contest looking for their first home win over Auburn since Charlie Bradshaw’s fifth team in Lexington beat the Tigers 17-7 on their way to a 3-6-1 finish in 1966. UK has never beaten Auburn in their current stadium. Commonwealth Stadium/Kroger Field opened in 1973.

• 1968: Auburn 26, Kentucky 7
• 1970: Auburn 33, Kentucky 15
• 1975: Auburn 15, Kentucky 9
• 1983: Auburn 49, Kentucky 21
• 1989: Auburn 24, Kentucky 12
• 1995: Auburn 42, Kentucky 21
• 2005: Auburn 49, Kentucky 27
• 2010: Auburn 37, Kentucky 34
• 2015: Auburn 30, Kentucky 27

The Tigers own a 27-6-1 series lead and have won nine consecutive games in Lexington. The Tigers are 7-0 all-time at Commonwealth Stadium/Kroger Field with three one-possession victories. Mark Stoops is 0-3 against War Eagle.

Kentucky will be looking to snap a seven-game SEC losing streak at home against a program in a venue that has been open for a half-century.