Auburn gets breather against Chattanooga

With games against its two biggest rival looming, Auburn gets a bit of a breather this week when the Tigers host Chattanooga for homecoming.

While the Mocs are 5-3 overall, they do possess a potent pass offense, which could exploit Auburn’s shaky secondary.

Chattanooga is ranked eighth nationally in passing offense (283.3) and total offense (440.5) among Football Championship Series teams.

Quarterback B.J. Coleman has completed 58 percent of his passes and has 21 touchdowns. His top target is Joel Bradford, who leads the nation in receiving yards (1,027) and is fourth in the nation in receptions (66).

Auburn’s defense will count on the front seven to put pressure on Coleman to disrupt the timing of the Mocs’ attack.

Defensive lineman Nick Fairley leads the Southeastern Conference and is tied for third nationally with 18 tackles for a loss this season. He has also recorded 7.5 sacks.

Chattanooga has a strong defense, but it is doubtful it can slow down the powerful Auburn offense.

The Mocs are third in the nation with 14 fumble recoveries and 12th in the nation with 12 interceptions. Freshman defensive back Kadeem Wise has six of those interceptions.

Auburn is fourth in the nation in rushing offense (307.7), sixth in total offense (496.2) and 10th in scoring offense (40).

Cam Newton continues to be the Heisman front-runner, leading the SEC and ranked seventh in the nation in rushing with 124.7 yards per game.

Newton leads the nation with 30 touchdowns scored or passed for and is tied for the national lead with 14 rushing touchdowns.

Michael Dyer is fourth nationally among freshman running backs with 80.3 yards per game while Onterio McCalebb is 13th in the SEC with 61.9 yards per game.

Desmond Washington ranks fourth in the SEC with an average return of 26.9 yards per kickoff return. He now holds the Auburn single-season record for kickoff return yards with 806.