Barber’s 5 TDs lifts Auburn Tigers past San Jose State, 35-21

The Tigers are 20-point favorites and won last season’s meeting 59-13, but that Auburn team was ranked fifth.

San Jose State head coach Ron Caragher, left, talks to Auburn head… The Tigers returned a pair of kickoffs deep into San Jose State territory, giving their struggling offense a shorter distance to work with. The offense is all out of sorts, even after the quarterback switch from Jeremy Johnson to Sean White, and the defense has yet to improve much under Will Muschamp.

Auburn has speed on the perimeter, but turning that speed into big plays has been an issue: In four games, they have just two receptions longer than 25 yards.

Barber had five rushing touchdowns against the Spartans, the most by an Auburn player since Carnell Williams’ six vs. Mississippi State in 2003.

The nation’s leader in all-purpose yards, Ervin followed up a 300-yard rushing game with 27 carries and another big effort. Auburn was No. 6 in the AP preseason poll but edged Louisville and barely beat Jacksonville State of the FCS.

Whatever the reasons for Auburn’s problems, they have one problem that should take precedence this weekend… the mighty San Jose State Spartans. Really bad. What would happen if the Tigers lose this game?

“I think we’re continuing to climb the mountain”, Caragher said. A few in the shrunken Auburn crowd booed coach Gus Malzahn’s decision to kick a field goal on fourth-and-1 in the final quarter despite the fact that it could make it a three-score game.

Auburn is not a team right now that is going to line up and run the ball down the throat of really good defenses without the threat of a passing game. Then, Daniel Carlson missed a 25-yard attempt. “Give the ball to Peyton Barber and he’ll find the end zone”. The 177-pound Ervin darted for a 2-yard touchdown with 5:38 left to pull to within 28-21.

Whether starter Kenny Potter is healthy or Joe Gray makes his second consecutive start – the smart money is on Gray – the Spartans need consistency. Auburn fans, on Saturday, have hit the point where they are doing said weird things.