[Tuck4Bama]

SOUTH FLORIDA (1-0) at No. 17 AUBURN (1-0) 8 p.m. Saturday (ESPN2) Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn -- LINE: Auburn by 7

-- SERIES: First meeting

-- GAME WITHIN THE GAME: Until Auburn proves it can run the ball and adequately protect Brandon Cox, the story will be the same each week.

Kansas State copied Nebraska's defensive game plan. South Florida is now able to copy Kansas State's. The template for beating Auburn is there, and the Tigers will be on thin ice against pressure defenses until they can get their offensive revved up. Despite all the talk about the offensive line, that responsibility starts with Cox. A big game by the senior quarterback would do wonders for Auburn.

STAT OF THE WEEK: Auburn's season-opening 23-13 win over Kansas State last week was the Tigers' 36th straight victory in games that they led at halftime. It also was the first victory for Auburn when it trailed entering the fourth quarter since the Tigers rallied to beat LSU 10-9 on Sept. 18, 2004. Auburn has trailed after three quarters in six of the 36 games since then. Auburn hasn't lost after leading at halftime since Nov. 16, 2002, when Georgia overcame a 14-3 deficit to take a 24-21 victory over the Tigers.

Auburn notes- al.com