Auburn football: Closer look at Tigers' game today against Utah State

Utah State at No. 23 Auburn

Time: noon

TV/Radio: ESPN2/WVRK-FM 102.9

Line: Auburn by 23

Series Record: First meeting

Last meeting: First meeting

What’s at Stake

The defending national champion Tigers will try to extend their nation’s best 15-game winning streak. The Aggies will try to beat a ranked opponent on the road in an opener for the first time in eight tries.

Key Matchup

Utah State returns an offensive line that’s made 90 career starts. It will lead the way for running back Robert Turian (1,296 yards, 13 TDs in 2009), who is back from an injury that cost him all of last year. Auburn has a young defensive front, with four sophomores starting on the line, making its run defense a major question mark.

Players to Watch

Utah State: Either junior college transfer Adam Kennedy or true freshman Chuckie Keeton will start at quarterback for the Aggies, who will make a gametime announcement. Neither has played a snap at the Football Bowl Subdivision level.

Auburn: QB Barrett Trotter has patiently waited three years for his first career start. The fourth-year junior, Gus Malzahn’s sixth starting quarterback in six years as a coordinator, has big shoes to fill following Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton.

Facts & Figures

Auburn is 91-25-2 all-time in season openers and has won 20 of its last 25. … The Tigers’ 15-game winning streak, which began with an Outback Bowl win against Northwestern in 2010, is the third-longest in school history. … Auburn is one of two FBS teams to return two running backs who both topped 800 yards last year (Mike Dyer had 1,093 yards; Onterio McCalebb had 810). … The Tigers are 15-0-1 all-time against current members of the Western Athletic Conference. … The Aggies are 1-10 against the SEC, with their lone victory coming in 1970 against Kentucky.

-- Andy Bitter