The truest test
AUBURN | The Tigers have been overpowering throughout the non-conference portion of their schedule, rolling to a 20-1 record and outscoring opponents by an average of 10 runs per game.
It's been every bit as lopsided as that sounds.
Yet all that success merely is prologue to what is about to happen. The Florida Gators, national champions in both 2014 and 2015, arrive at Jane B. Moore Field this weekend for a series that could help define both teams' conference seasons. All three games will be televised live on the SEC Network.
"We're ready. Auburn is ready to play," third baseman Kasey Cooper said. "We look forward to having them. We’re looking forward to the audience. It’s going to feel like a Super Regional all over again."
A record crowd is guaranteed. Auburn set a pair of attendance records last season including a crowd of 2,006 to view the Tigers' season finale against Alabama in April. Temporary risers made that record possible.
More than 800 permanent seats were added during the winter to accommodate increased demand and capacity now is listed at 2,316. Every seat is expected to be filled this weekend.
The crowd will add to a series that already carries plenty of significance. After all, it was these Gators who ended Auburn's season in the national semifinals. The Tigers lost 3-2 and left 14 runners on base during that June afternoon in Oklahoma City.
"We have a bitter taste in our mouths," Cooper said. "We lost because of the little things. This week will be focused on the little things."
Florida (24-0) has approached its season much like Auburn -- use the early season to work out kinks ahead of what promises to be another wild season in the Southeastern Conference. Eight of the current top 15 teams are from the SEC.
The Gators have fared well against ranked opponents this season, soundly defeating No. 2 Michigan and earning closely contested victories over No. 7 Washington and No. 16 UCLA. Their pitching remains elite -- UF's NCAA-leading ERA of 0.58 leads second-place Auburn by almost one-half run -- but they aren't a particularly explosive scoring team by comparison.
Auburn has twice as many home runs, doubles and triples in one less game.
The Tigers lead the NCAA with 11 runs per game; Florida ranks 18th at 7.13.
"Nobody’s really tested them," Auburn coach Clint Myers said. "They’ve not really been behind and nobody’s scored a substantial number of runs. That’s what we’re hoping to do. Then it’s to see how they’re going to handle it. They’re a great ball club, but they’re untested. They’re just like us. It’s a new season starting right now. "
(1) FLORIDA at (3) AUBURN
WHEN: Three-game series begins Saturday at 7:30 p.m. CDT.
WHERE: Jane B. Moore Field, Auburn
ON THE TUBE: SEC Network (All three games televised live)