Auburn football: Closer look at Tigers' game today against Florida

FLORIDA AT No. 24 Auburn, 7 p.m. (ESPN, WVRK-FM 102.9)

Line: Florida by 2.

Series Record: Auburn 42-38-2.

WHAT’S AT STAKE

A spot in the Top 25, presumably. The two teams have combined to win three of the last five national titles but are trying to avoid mediocre -- or worse -- seasons, dealing with quarterback issues and coming off a lopsided loss or, in the Gators’ case, two.

KEY MATCHUP

Auburn QBs vs. Florida’s defense. The Tigers mix dropback passer Barrett Trotter -- still the starter -- with more mobile Kiehl Frazier but haven’t mustered a passing offense that worries defenses much. Florida has the SEC’s fourth-rated pass defense and likely will load up on the line against the run.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Florida: RB Chris Rainey. He has 56 yards on 24 carries the past two games and takes on a defense that has been vulnerable to the big play and gave up a 92-yard run last week to Arkansas’ Joe Adams.

Auburn: RB Mike Dyer. He’s become the offensive workhorse for the Tigers with 62 carries for 262 yards the past two games. Auburn must milk the clock some to keep a vulnerable defense off the field.

FACTS & FIGURES

Florida coach Will Muschamp followed in the footsteps of Auburn’s Gene Chizik as defensive coordinator for both the Tigers and Texas. … As an Auburn graduate assistant and coordinator, Muschamp was 23-7 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. … The Gators are 4-11-2 against defending national champions.

-- Associated Press