When the media and fans see the University of Louisiana-Monroe on the Auburn Tigers schedule, they automatically think the Tigers win the game. While that may be true, Louisiana-Monroe needs this game, and it probably means more to them than Auburn.

At 5-4, the Warhawks become bowl eligible with a win. Plus, a win at Jordan-Hare is an endless path to recruiting for a school stuck in the middle of nowhere, gasping for steam in the Sun Belt Conference.

If Auburn doesn’t assert its authority from the start, this game will become the most embarrassing loss of the year. In a year of staggering losses, this one would stand alone.

“Well, we don’t take anyone lightly, personnel-wise,” head coach Hugh Freeze said of the Warhawks. “I hope our team definitely doesn’t.” We should have learned enough lessons about this over time. They are a good football team that plays very hard and has good plans, good coaches and enough players to scare you.

Nothing extraordinary

Make no mistake, nothing ULM wants to accomplish in the Plains will seem complex or complex on offense. Without a shadow of a doubt, the Sun Belt visitors want to establish the run. Behind Ahmad Hardy, freshman running backthe Warhawks want to grind the Tigers into dust.

Not the biggest back Auburn will face this season, Hardy (5’10”, 205 pounds) seems to be one of the most decisive. With a cut, he decides to go down the field. Additionally, Gifted with the ability to reach for a second gear, Hady demonstrates escape skills.

More importantly, it looks like a volume back. That means with 65 carries in its last three games, Auburn will see plenty of them, early, often and everywhere in between.

Historical despair

With a win Saturday, ULM earns bowl eligibility, heading to a bowl game for only the second time in school history. But to be fair, they’ve made the playoffs for a good portion of their history, including an I-AA national championship in 1987.

However, the Warhawks can only claim one winning season since making the jump to D1-A full-time in 1994.

As a result, reaching that magic number of six wins becomes of utmost importance to the program. In all honesty, fans and local media are determined to cook up a bowl. In these circumstances, they will truly be gambling with the house money, with absolutely nothing to lose. Free as a bird, the ULM will throw everything it can at Auburn. Imagine deception plays and misdirection all over the field.

Preview

On paper, Auburn should wipe the turf with Louisiana-Monroe. ESPN gives Tigers 93% chance to win as three-score favorite. They have advantages at every position on the field. Auburn’s fourth string could start microlighting tomorrow. However, the Warhawks, all season, are showing traits that have eluded the 2024 version of the Auburn Tigers: purpose and direction.

Whether it starts at the top or not, the Tigers could emulate ULM in this regard. If Auburn wins Saturday, they deserved it. Louisiana-Monroe will arrive at Jordan-Hare looking to bring the fight to Auburn. The Tigers must not get lazy and play with their opponents.

If the opportunity to complete the game competitively presents itself, take it. Allowing the Warhawks to hang around doesn’t help.