Struggling Auburn looks to revive fading bowl prospects with game at Kentucky

Auburn’s Antonio Kite, right, falls on a fumble in the end zone with teammate Malcolm Simmons, left, during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Missouri Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)

Auburn looks to snap a four-game losing streak and revive its bowl prospects when it plays at Kentucky on Saturday.

Coach Hugh Freeze’s team has lost double-digit, fourth-quarter leads against both Oklahoma and Missouri. Freeze needs a league win after starting 3-9 in SEC games.

Kentucky seeks to get back to .500 after consecutive losses to upstart Vanderbilt and resurgent Florida.

Kentucky has the SEC’s No. 4 defense (283.6 yards allowed per game) but also has room for improvement after allowing Florida to convert all seven red-zone chances, including five short rushing touchdowns.

Auburn managed just 286 yards at Missouri and gained just 22 yards in a scoreless fourth quarter. An opportunity exists for Auburn to seize early momentum, but the trick is maintaining it.

Auburn QB Payton Thorne has cut down on big mistakes lately, throwing just one interception total the past two games after three multi-pick games. But he has to more consistently get the ball to playmakers like WRs KeAndre Lambert-Smith and Cam Coleman to keep the offense going.

Auburn has won its last nine trips to Lexington dating back to 1966. … Auburn, BYU and Vanderbilt are the only FBS teams with 10 players making at least one touchdown catch, tying for the national lead. … The Tigers lead the nation with 13 pass plays of 40-plus yards and are fifth with an average of 15.04 yards per completion. … Kentucky last beat Auburn 21-17 in 2009. … Wildcats LB D’Eryk Jackson is tied for 27th in the SEC with 37 stops and recorded his fifth career interception two weeks ago against Vanderbilt.

Kickoff for Auburn (2-5, 0-4 SEC) at Kentucky (3-4, 1-4) is Saturday at 6:45PM CDT on the SEC Network.

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