AUBURN, Ala. — Kevin Steele should really sleep easy these days knowing his defense is among the best in the country.

He’s held two opponents, including the reigning national champion, to a total of two touchdowns. No team has surpassed 300 yards and his defensive line is making life difficult for every offensive line it faces, even the most experienced in the entire country last week at Clemson.

Still, Auburn’s second-year defensive coordinator could not sleep Saturday night.

“When you can’t sleep and you coach, you watch tape. I watched tape,” Steele said Sunday. “I graded the film on the way back [from Clemson Saturday] night and watched some of [Mercer] on the way back and got up this morning and started watching them. I watched both games this year and four games last year.”

No. 15 Auburn (1-1) hosts Mercer (1-1), an FCS opponent, Saturday at 3 p.m. CT inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. The game will be televised on SEC Network Alternate.

The Bears are led by its passing attack and redshirt freshman quarterback Kaelan Riley. He is a legit threat, but also makes plenty of mistakes. He’s thrown for 373 yards and five touchdowns with four interceptions in the first two games of the season. He has also rushed for 68 yards and three scores.

“The quarterback is a young guy, but he’s an effective thrower,” Steele said. “They have got some receivers that can knock the top out of the coverage and he’s got the arm to get it to them. He’s an effective passer. They do run. They are a little bit multiple in their scheme. Formation they are a lot like what we just played (against Clemson) and our offense formation wise. They can throw it around.”

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