Olin Buchanan (@olinbuchanan) is a columnist/assignments editor for TexAgs.com. He previously worked as a Texas A&M beat writer for the Bryan-College Station Eagle and the Austin American-Statesman. He also was a national CFB writer for Rivals.com and Yahoo! Sports. Olin has been a regular on the Other Sideline. This is his 100 millionth appearance on the Blogle. 
1. What is a Texas A&M fan’s first thought about Auburn football right now?
We know Auburn is struggling. But we also see the talent at running back and receiver. We also know a lot of Auburn’s losses were close. Auburn is dangerous. If A&M players don’t realize that fact they could get embarrassed. Aggies know not to take anything for granted vs. Auburn.
2. What’s the vibe like in College Station for the Aggies currently?
There is excitement because they’ve made so much progress in Year One under Mike Elko. Back in August if you told Aggies that A&M would be in the thick of the SEC Championship race midway through November they would have signed up for it. There is also some angst because of the escalating number of injuries.
3. Is this team more of the squad that destroyed Missouri or the team that was destroyed by South Carolina?
Hate to sound like a coach, but the answer is somewhere in the middle. I think the Aggies were not as mentally prepared for South Carolina as they should have been. Missed tackles. Botched assignments. Stupid penalties. It happens in the SEC. How does Vandy beat Alabama? How does Kentucky beat Ole Miss? Sometimes, for whatever reason, you’re not at your best. And we all know that’s asking for disaster in the SEC, especially on the road.
4. What are the thoughts on Elko? Is the fanbase happy?
Elko was the right guy. Fans are ecstatic with him. He’s done almost everything right since he arrived from firing under-performing coaches, to rebuilding relationships with the Texas High School Coaches Association that were damaged under his predecessor, to doing excellent work in the transfer portal too making good decisions like changing quarterbacks vs. LSU.
5. Who are two Aggies that Auburn fans should be worried about and why?
DE Nic Scourton is among the SEC leaders in tackles for loss. He can be very disruptive. RB Amari Daniels, who entered the season as the No. 3 back, is now the starter because of season-ending injuries to Le’Veon Moss and Rueben Owens. But Daniels is explosive. He had a 56-yard touchdown run vs. South Carolina and a 71-yard touchdown run vs. New Mexico State. Last year he had a 79-yard run vs. Auburn.
6. Who are two Tigers that worry you and why?
Jarquez Hunter and KeAndre Lambert-Smith. You know why. A&M has a tendency to give up big plays. Those guys can make them. Throw in Cam Coleman, too.
7. What’s going to be the biggest battle of the game?
It seems Auburn wins or at least is extremely competitive when Hunter is rushing for 90 yards or more. A&M typically has been strong in run defense, but has lapsed on occasion. So, Hunter vs. the A&M run defense seems like the most intriguing matchup.
8. What is your score prediction/analysis for the game?
I’m terrible at these. I’ll take A&M because I think it has more overall talent. But Auburns’ big-play ability and the fact the game is at Jordan-Hare is cause for concern. I’m thinking it’s a close game with A&M winning something like 24-20.
9. Where do you see Texas A&M and Auburn ending up this season?
Hell, I see A&M going to Atlanta with a 10-2 record. Why not be optimistic? Auburn, I think, finishes 4-8 and laments how close it was to having a much better year.
10. What kind of feelings do you get from Texas A&M playing Texas again?
First things first. The Aggies have to get by Auburn. Victory cannot be assumed vs. the Tigers. But next week will be a crazy, intense, nasty atmosphere. Hire extra security. You don’t think it’s possible, but I truly believe there is more unadulterated hatred in that game than even Auburn-Alabama. At least you guys are on opposite ends of the state. We’re only 90 miles apart. The feeling is that the SEC stabbed A&M in the back by adding Texas, but OK, now that they’re on the schedule, go beat those SOBs.
