Fearless Forecasters: Our Picks for Auburn vs. Missouri
Auburn's back is firmly against the wall. Will the Tigers respond or wilt? The answer could be crucial for Hugh Freeze's future as head coach.
Auburn (3-3, 0-3 SEC) is reeling from three straight losses, all considered winnable. They get another shot in front of the Jordan-Hare Stadium crowd at night, facing No. 16 Missouri (5-1, 1-1 SEC) in their first road game of the season. Auburn is a 1.5-point home underdog late in the week. Kickoff is set for 6:45 p.m. CST on SEC Network, with streaming available on fuboTV.
Our Fearless Forecasters offer their picks, straight up, for Auburn's fourth straight matchup against a ranked team, plus other big games in the SEC and across the country in Week 8.
WEEK 8 STANDINGS
- Jason: 51-26
- Christian: 50-27
- Nathan: 49-28
- Phillip: 47-30
- Ronnie: 47-30
- Patrick: 44-33
NO. 16 MISSOURI AT AUBURN (+1.5)
Jason Caldwell: "Auburn vs. Missouri is fitting because the Tigers need to prove me wrong. I believe this team can beat anyone, but they must make the plays to win. This game is winnable for Auburn. Can Jackson Arnold and the passing game create explosive plays? Can they slow down Missouri's running game? These are my questions. But will it be enough? Until I see otherwise, I'm sticking with Auburn at home."
Missouri 24, Auburn 19
Christian Clemente: "Last week felt like Auburn's last stand. They had a solid game plan against Georgia, but couldn't close the deal. This staff and team don't know how to win. Missouri's edge rushers and front are a concern for Auburn's offensive line. Until Jackson Arnold and Hugh Freeze can execute clutch plays, I can't pick them to win."
Missouri 14, Auburn 6
Nathan King: "Auburn is in a dire situation, but maybe I'm wrong. It's not about losing; it's about the manner of their performances. They're actively finding ways to lose. I don't see this trend changing in a week. Jackson Arnold might have a short leash, but they keep him in despite his struggles. Missouri's defense is fearsome, ranked 4th in run defense and with two of the league's best pass rushers. Auburn's offensive line is in for a tough night, and their running back situation is weakened."
Missouri 27, Auburn 17
Phillip Marshall: "Missouri is on the road for the first time this season, and their best wins are against Kansas or South Carolina. Auburn is in desperation mode. If this game was in Columbia, I'd pick Missouri, but it's not. Auburn is due for some luck."
Auburn 28, Missouri 20
Ronnie Sanders: "Auburn hosts No. 16 Missouri in a pivotal SEC game at Jordan-Hare Stadium, where the Tigers have a history of surprises. Missouri has a strong defense and a balanced offense, but Auburn's desperation and home-field advantage could be decisive. The key will be Auburn's ability to run the ball and limit turnovers. If Jackson Arnold can make timely throws and the defense forces turnovers, the crowd's energy could be a factor. Jordan-Hare's atmosphere has flipped games before, and this feels like one of those nights."
Auburn 27, Missouri 24
Patrick Bingham: "This story might sound familiar, but I expect a close game at Jordan-Hare. I also expect Freeze's Tigers to struggle with key plays. Same story, different week."
Missouri 27, Auburn 15
GAME OF THE WEEK: No. 5 OLE MISS at No. 9 GEORGIA (-7.5)
Jason Caldwell: "Georgia isn't a dominant team, but neither is Ole Miss. I'll take the home team."
Georgia 27, Ole Miss 17
Christian Clemente: "Ole Miss is the better team, but I'll take Georgia at home. Gunner Stockton will make just enough plays to win."
Georgia 28, Ole Miss 24
Nathan King: "Georgia didn't impress last week, but they have the guts to win. Ole Miss is playoff-caliber, but Georgia will have an angry week after their performance and will bounce back in Sanford Stadium."
Georgia 31, Ole Miss 24
Phillip Marshall: "I'm not sold on either team being great, but Georgia is at home, where they rarely lose."
Georgia 34, Ole Miss 24
Ronnie Sanders: "This top-10 showdown in Athens features explosive offenses, but Georgia's depth and home-field advantage should be decisive. Ole Miss will move the ball, but Georgia's defense tightens in the red zone and controls the clock late."
Georgia 31, Ole Miss 24
Patrick Bingham: "I'm going against the grain here. Ole Miss didn't look sharp last week, but Lane Kiffin might have a trick up his sleeve against a more beatable Georgia team."
Ole Miss 30, Georgia 25
SEC GAMES
- No. 10 LSU at No. 17 VANDERBILT
- No. 14 OKLAHOMA at SOUTH CAROLINA
- No. 4 TEXAS A&M at ARKANSAS
- MISSISSIPPI STATE at FLORIDA
- No. 21 TEXAS at KENTUCKY
- No. 11 TENNESSEE at No. 6 ALABAMA
OTHER GAMES
- No. 12 GEORGIA TECH at DUKE
- WASHINGTON at MICHIGAN
- SMU at CLEMSON
- OLD DOMINION at JAMES MADISON
- No. 7 TEXAS TECH at ARIZONA STATE
- No. 20 USC at No. 13 NOTRE DAME
- No. 23 UTAH at No. 15 BYU
