Somebody’s early season roll is going to come to an end in the NCAA week 6 Auburn at Florida free pick. Both teams have started 2019 undefeated at 5-0. For the Tigers, it’s just their 2nd road game of the season – even though the first was an impressive win at Texas A&M. The Gators are also 5-0, but they were also supposed to be after being at least a TD favorite in each game so far.
Auburn Ready For Another Test
The Tigers roar into the NCAA week 6 Auburn at Florida free pick with a freshman QB, but it’s not like Bo Nix hasn’t been tested already in his young career. Auburn scored a 27-21 win at Oregon in their opener and the 28-20 win at College Station came as +4 underdogs. What’s scary for Florida Saturday is that Nix just keeps getting better as evidenced by his 16/21 for 335 yards and 2 TD day vs. Mississippi State last week.
Of course what’s even more challenging for the Gators in this one is that Auburn is far from just a passing team. In fact, their #14 rush offense that averages 251.8 yards per game actually opens things up for the freshman QB. JaTarvious Whitlow has ran for 463 yards in 5 games and 3 of his 10 carries went for scores last week. The Gators defense is 17th vs. the rush though.
The defense getting all the attention coming into this game is Florida, but Auburn has been pretty solid in their own rights. The Tigers should be able to make UF one-dimensional in this one as Auburn ranks 19th in the country allowing just 95.2 ypg on the ground. The Tigers also held Oregon’s pro prospect QB Justin Herbert to a so-so 28/37, 242 and 1 TD day in the opener.
Florida Tries to Erase ‘Overrated’ Label
The Gators are impressive at 5-0, but they’ve only risen to #8 despite being ranked 10th in the Sports Illustrated preseason poll (Auburn has climbed 10 spots meanwhile). The main reason Florida hasn’t received a lot of early season respect is because they were supposed to start 5-0, being at least a TD favorite in every game so far. Dan Mullen’s team has a strength of schedule that is 37th in the country – Auburn’s is 2nd so far.
What you do have to give UF credit for heading into the NCAA week 6 Auburn at Florida free pick is that they have been taking care of business no matter who has been put out in front of them. The Gators have battled through adversity after losing starting QB Feleipe Franks for the year after just two full games played. Junior Kyle Trask has a big test Saturday, but he’s filled in nicely under center so far. Starting in the Kentucky game that Franks was injured in, Trask is 47/61 with 4 TD and 2 INT. His two starts came against Tennessee and Towson though.
Just like you have to take Trask’s stats with a grain of salt because of the competition, the same goes with the Gators defense. Make no mistake the Florida defensive unit has been great, allowing 3 points or less in 3 of 5 games so far this season. FU is 18th on defense in total yards surrendered and 17th vs. the run – but they haven’t played an offense close to the status of Auburn’s yet.
NCAA Week 6 Auburn at Florida Free Pick
Nix continues to show his innate ability to just win games. Auburn was supposed to struggle in his debut vs. a veteran Oregon offense but they didn’t. The Tigers were supposed to come back to reality at Texas A&M but they didn’t. Auburn IS supposed to have some offensive struggles vs. a tough Florida defense today…but the Gators haven’t seen talent on either side of the ball like the Tigers are going to throw at them today.
Pick: Auburn Tigers -2.5
