It’s No. 6 vs. No. 6 as Auburn hosts Jacksonville State at Jordan Hare Stadium

Auburn's Peyton Barber (25), makes a move against Louisville in Atlanta Sept. 5, 2015. (Zach Bland/Auburn Athletics)
Above: Auburn’s Peyton Barber (25) makes a move against Louisville in Atlanta Sept. 5, 2015. (Zach Bland/Auburn Athletics)
A pair of top 10 teams will meet at 11 a.m. Saturday at Jordan-Hare Stadium and each is ranked No. 6 in the country. Auburn, No. 6 in the Football Bowl Subdivision, hosts Jacksonville State, the No. 6 team in the Football Championship Subdivision in the SEC Network game.

Auburn quarterback Jeremy Johnson (6) prepares to throw against Louisville on Sept. 5. (Wade Rackley/Auburn Athletics)
Auburn survived quarterback Jeremy Johnson’s three interceptions and the elusive running of a backup opposing signal-caller to win its opener against Louisville. The Gamecocks emerged the victor in a top 10 matchup last week, beating Chattanooga 23-20.
“I always say that teams make their most improvements from game one to game two, so we are calling this game two and not worried about who it is,” Jacksonville coach John Grass said. “We are worried about ourselves and how we can get better each day. If this team continues to get better on a weekly basis and a daily basis then I think we have a great chance to be a great football team.”

Nick Saban at Alabama practice. (contributed)
No. 2 Alabama plays its home opener against Middle Tennessee State at 3 p.m. on the SEC Network. Jacob Coker started last week against Wisconsin and established himself as the primary quarterback. Cooper Bateman, who clocked in for extended mop-up duty against the Badgers, could get more time if the Tide rolls early.
Here’s the rest of this week’s football slate:
OTHER STATE COLLEGES
South Alabama at Nebraska: Jacksonville State isn’t the only state team stepping up this week. So, too, are the Jaguars as they travel to Lincoln to face the Cornhuskers at 7 p.m. Saturday.
Florida A&M at Samford: The Hatch Attack of head coach Chris Hatcher got off to an impressive start as the Bulldogs blasted Central Arkansas 45-16 last week. They’ll try to continue the high-octane charge against the Rattlers at 2 p.m. Saturday.
Charleston Southern at Troy: After falling 49-21 to North Carolina State, the Trojans march into the home portion of their schedule against the Panthers at 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN3.
Alabama A&M at Prairie View A&M: The Bulldogs fell 52-10 at Cincinnati in their opener. They’ll open their Southwestern Athletic Conference slate against the Panthers at 6 Saturday night.
Alcorn State at Alabama State: The Hornets led Tennessee State 17-3 through three quarters but gave up three touchdowns in the fourth to fall 24-17 in Game 1. The SWAC favorites visit Montgomery at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Huntingdon at Birmingham-Southern: The Panthers eked out a 29-28 win at LaGrange and the Hawks blasted Louisiana College 56-35. The in-state Division III rivals meet on the Hilltop at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Mississippi College at North Alabama: The Lions doubled Miles 34-17 in the Labor Day Golden Classic at Legion Field. They’ll look to roar some more at 6 p.m. Saturday.
Miles at West Georgia: David Whipple scored two fourth quarter TDs for the Golden Bears against North Alabama. They’ll seek greater production at 6 p.m. Saturday.

The University of West Alabama hosts Cumberland this week. (contributed)
Albany State vs. Tuskegee: The Golden Tigers face the Golden Rams in the White Water Classic in Phenix City at 4 p.m. Tuskegee blanked Clark Atlanta 26-0 last week.
Cumberland at West Alabama: The Lions stormed past Stillman 52-9 last week. They entertain Cumberland tonight at 6.
Concordia at Stillman: Stillman led 7-3 after one quarter of its opener before falling by 43. The Hornets visit at 3.
Louisiana College at Huntingdon: The Hawks were a high-scoring squad a season ago. They hope similar production is on display at 1 p.m. Saturday in Montgomery.
Faulkner at Bluefield (Va.) College: The Eagles outscored Southeastern University 45-33 to begin the season. Could more fireworks be in store as Faulkner travels to Virginia for a 12:30 p.m. meeting?
HIGH SCHOOLS
Class 7A: Josh Niblett has coached the Hoover Bucs to 99 wins and eight losses since replacing Rush Propst before the 2008 season. He will go for win No. 100 Friday as Hoover, 3-0 and No. 1 in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association poll, visits Oak Mountain. The Eagles, despite being 0-2, continue to get consideration in the poll; they are 0-12 all-time against Hoover.
Class 6A: Bessemer City (3-0) last week blanked Brookwood 47-0. That was the 1,000th game in the history of the program dating back to Bessemer High and Jess Lanier. This week, the Purple Tigers travel to Paul W. Bryant, which at 3-0 is off to its best start since 2003. Bessemer City, which honored its 1990 state champions last Friday, landed just outside the top 10 in the poll this week.
Class 5A: No. 1 St. Paul’s (3-0) visits No. 2 Jackson (2-0). The Aggies will try to break an 18-game losing streak to the home-standing Saints.
Class 4A: No. 8 Munford last week handed defending champion Leeds its second loss of the season in a 49-48 overtime thriller. This week, the Lions are at Elmore County (2-0).
Class 3A: Winston County (3-0) is off to its best start since 2009 when it finished 10-3, losing in the third round of the state playoffs. Winfield is 2-1.
Class 2A: When last they met, Sweet Water downed Mobile Christian 46-14. This year, Mobile Christian (2-0) is just outside the top 10. Sweet Water is 1-1.
Class 1A: From 1954 to 1996, Georgiana beat Brantley 13 games in a row. Since then, No. 5 Brantley has won the past nine. The two renew acquaintances on Friday at Brantley. The visitors are 3-0, the home team 1-1.
AISA: Edgewood Academy (3-0) is No. 1 among Alabama Independent School Association teams. The Lions host Evangel Christian (1-1).