No. 15 Texas A&M (8-2, 5-1 SEC, No. 15) at Auburn (4-6, 1-5), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EST (ESPN)

BetMGM College Football Odds: Texas A&M by 2 1/2.

Series record: Texas A&M leads 8-6.

What is at stake?

The Aggies are still in the hunt for their first Southeastern Conference championship and playoff berth but can ill afford another loss on both counts. Texas A&M’s toughest test still awaits: in-state rival Texas in College Station. The challenge may be to avoid looking ahead from this one. The Tigers must win their final two games to avoid a fourth straight losing season.

Key matching

Auburn’s running game against Texas A&M’s defense. Jarquez Hunter has already rushed for 1,015 yards with five touchdowns, including a nation-best 278-yard game against Kentucky. No coincidence that was the Tigers’ only SEC win, as their passing game has been inconsistent.

The Aggies have allowed just two of their last seven opponents to top 100 rushing yards, including holding LSU to 24 yards on 23 rushes. They have a defensive front led by Shemar Turner and transfer Nic Scourton.

Players to watch

Texas A&M: QB Marcel Reed is 4-1 as a starter. He has passed for 1,129 yards and nine touchdowns against two interceptions. He has run for 375 yards and six scores.

Auburn: QB Payton Thorne has been up and down this season but passed for a career-high five touchdowns in a 48-14 win over Louisiana-Monroe. However, Thorne has just three TD passes in his last four SEC games.

Facts & figures

The Aggies have won three of the last four meetings, including a 27-10 home victory last season. … Texas A&M has allowed just 37 tackles for loss this season, which leads the SEC and ranks fifth nationally. … Auburn is fourth nationally with 14 passing plays of at least 40 yards. … The Tigers had their first shutout game since at least 1996 against Louisiana-Monroe. They have an average of 5.40 penalties in the league per game. Only seven other FBS teams have gone games without a penalty this season.