Auburn's Defense Could Be Key to Upset of West Virginia

Auburn (4-3) at West Virginia (4-2) Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Line: WV -3 What was thought to be a marquee matchup between top 25 teams in the preseason has turned into a game between two of the bigger disappointments of 2008, as Auburn travels to West Virgina on Thursday night. The Tigers are coming off a bye week after losing at home to Arkansas, their third loss in the last four games. West Virginia also had a bye last week after an uninspiring win over lowly Syracuse.   Auburn Offense vs. West Virginia Defense This will not be the riveting part of this game. Auburn is having an identity crisis on offense, having gone to the spread in the offseason before firing that offensive coordinator, now returning to their traditional power running scheme. The problem is that Auburn was soundly outgained by equally offensively inept Arkansas in its first game back to a traditional offense. Auburn has been outgained in all three of its losses. West Virginia’s defense is improved over ... (link)