Alabama A&M Bulldogs

Auburn Football vs. Alabama A&M: Five Auburn Players to Watch

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Here we take a look at five Auburn football players to watch for as the team takes on Alabama A&M this Saturday.

It’s completely understandable to walk away from Athens, Ga. and be disappointed. Auburn found its way to No. 9, destiny was returning to The Plains, and yet it was so close to falling away. In all honesty, the hopes and dreams of getting into the top four in the rankings for temptation in the playoffs was becoming a bit much.

There’s a feel to watching Auburn dominate a talented roster, and then fail to compete against one that struggles. It’s called reality – it happens, and it happens to everyone. We fail to forget as fans and rational beings that most college rosters are filled with potential, and only at opportune times does that potential broadcast itself. Iowa did it. Pittsburgh did it. It was simply Georgia’s time.

Personally, I find the mourning understandable – but also not. This season has already become something most did not expect following what happened last year. Sure, it ended on a high note, but Auburn wasn’t supposed to win nine games this year.

With everyone injured and disappointment in the rear view, it’s nice to see Alabama A&M travelling to Jordan-Hare for a night game.

Here’s five players to watch for against the Bulldogs (not those):

John Franklin III

With Sean White refusing to accept his shoulder injury, it’s finally time for John Franklin III to take the helm while White gets some rest. The last showcase of Franklin – completing two passes for nine yards in the first half against Vanderbilt – doesn’t leave room for the passing game to have much success. Yet, with wide receivers Marcus Davis, Tony Stevens and even running back Kamryn Pettway dealing with injury, Franklin’s presence at quarterback will be refreshing.

Franklin will be Auburn’s running back and their quarterback. He’ll be asked to do as much as he can with a chunk of his roster missing, and he’ll certainly be more than willing to devour his opportunity.

Carl Lawson

At one point tied for the lead in the SEC in sacks with nine, Carl Lawson is now tied for second. Lawson is only three sacks away from a tie with former defensive tackle Nick Fairley, and is one sack away from being the first Auburn player with 10 sacks in a season since Dee Ford in 2013.

This Auburn defense can be elite, and compared to Alabama A&M it can be unstoppable. If the Tigers can show off and roll against these Bulldogs on defense, it’ll be a good confidence builder going into the Iron Bowl. Lawson will have to be a quarterback for this defensive morale booster.

Kerryon Johnson

The man who became the reserve for the SEC’s leading rusher – Kamryn Pettway still holds the crown with 1,106 yards – did what he could against Georgia. Twenty-two carries for 99 yards and the sole touchdown for Auburn, Kerryon Johnson will have plenty more chances to run with John Franklin III at quarterback – assuming that’s how that happens.

Franklin will run the option and Johnson will be his option, and this duo will run the table against Alabama A&M assuming Franklin’s throwing ability has yet to change. This, and it is hoped that Johnson’s injury suffered at Mississippi State is slowly fading away. Look for the injury to disappear, and for the Johnson-Franklin connection.

Montravius Adams

This overly sized defensive tackle has five sacks on the season with 35 tackles, and has been a wall on the defensive line. He’s fun to watch because of his physicality, size and his speed. His ability to stop the run has been a joy to watch, as well as his mission statement against the quarterback. He and Carl Lawson will be staples of pressure against Alabama A&M, alongside a growing cornerback corps.

Look for Adams to get back to his roots against the Bulldogs.

Eli Stove

Eli Stove is a relatively undersized freshman from Niceville, Fla. and he’s just about the only wide receiver able to participate. Not really, of course, but Stove was the only receiver for Auburn to have two receptions for positive yardage against Georgia. He also set the Arkansas game off with a bang and proved to be a force positioned as a running back. Stove is capable of performing, and we have evidence of him doing so. Certainly with a list of Auburn’s offensive playmakers out, Stove is one of few who is still available to deal some damage.

Here’s to Daniel Carlson’s 90.9 field goal percentage.

That’s second all-time for Auburn in a season. He also hasn’t missed a PAT.

War Eagle!