By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Defense and special teams lead Auburn to a 30-17 win over Tennessee.

1. In what has been an up-and-down season for Auburn, this win, though hard fought for two-and-a-half quarters, serves as somewhat of a stablizer ahead of an Iron Bowl showdown with undefeated Alabama. After falling behind 10-0, the Tigers promptly responded with 27 unanswered points and were ultimately able to close out the contest comfortably in the end. While far from a perfect performance overall, Auburn got the play of the game on a 100-yard interception return from a touchdown from Smoke Monday and was the better side on special teams, with Anders Carlson converted three kicks including a 50-yarder.

2. Smoke Monday had the most dramatic highlight you will see in a football game: a 100-yard pick-six. It came a great time, too, with Auburn clinging to a three-point lead and Tennessee obviously right on the verge of taking the lead. That turnover and score turned an otherwise tight contest completely in the Tigers’ favor. Monday also had a interception return a touchdown in last season’s Iron Bowl, a key play that helped his team win. Saturday night was all about Monday as well.

3. In addition to Monday’s big play, Auburn was largely effective in pass defense. Quarterbacks Jarrett Guarantano was held to 15-of-23 passing for just 156 yards and an interception, with Harrison Bailey coming on in relief. The Tigers prevented Tennessee from ever consistently settling in with an intermediate or downfield passing attack.

4. Auburn still needs more big plays offensively like the Bo Nix connection to Anthony Schwartz for a 54-yard touchdown, but the third down proficiency was there against Tennessee. The Tigers were 9-of-15 versus the Volunteers, with Nix and running backs D.J. Williams and Shaun Shivers, in for the injured Tank Bigsby, all contributing.

5. Albeit in a losing effort, running back Eric Gray was tremendously productive for Tennessee. He ran 22 times for 173 yards and a touchdown, and was the Volunteers’ leading receiver with 49 yards, in the defeat.