The Next 12 Days Are Critical For Second-Ranked Auburn

Second-ranked Auburn should finally be coming down off the high of Saturday's win over LSU. OK, maybe not quite yet. With MAC doormat Buffalo scheduled to arrive at Jordan-Hare Stadium this Saturday, maybe it's fine to give the boys in orange and blue an extra day.

Or not. Auburn 's schedule over the next 12 days will go a long way in determining the fate of this year's team. While no one is suggesting that Buffalo will give the Tigers a test Saturday, Auburn 's schedule certainly will. The Tigers turn around and play SEC foe South Carolina five days after the contest with Buffalo .

For a team that's banged up, that can be a test all to itself. Word is circulating around the internet today that Auburn quarterback Brandon Cox may be a no-go for Saturday's game. If he does play, look for it to be in very limited action. Saturday's deep leg bruise caught up with Cox on Sunday morning. He couldn't walk on it when he woke up. That means the junior quarterback will be spending more time in therapy than on the practice field this week.

That will make room for sophomore Blake Field to possibly get his second start of the season at quarterback. Before the injury to Cox, most speculated that Field would get the majority of the snaps against Buffalo . You may remember that Field did a masterful job as a starter against Western Kentucky last year.

Jonathan Wilhite is in a similar situation. He's remains questionable for the Buffalo game after pulling a hamstring in Saturday's game. If the Tigers were playing anyone else, Wilhite would be on the field. Look for him to take the weekend off.

Auburn is a banged up team. It's a team that hurting. But it hurts so good. Look for Tigers coach Tommy Tuberville to treat Saturday's game like a glorified scrimmage – although you'll never get him to admit it. Auburn 's plan this week will be to get its starters ready for the match-up in Columbia on September 28^th.

The next week and a half will be crucial for the Tigers. Beginning with South Carolina , they make a run of three straight SEC games before homecoming with Tulane. It's critical that the team be healthy by then. You could say that this week is a working week off for second ranked Auburn.

Link: Football Saturday In The South