Last year ahead of Auburn’s trip to Cal, Cal starting running back Jaydn Ott questioned if the Tigers would live up to the hype.

This year, heading into Saturday’s Cal-Auburn matchup, there are questions about Ott’s availability after the Golden Bears’ starting running back left Cal’s game vs. UC-Davis with an apparent ankle injury and never checked back into the game.

On Tuesday afternoon, Cal head coach Justin Wilcox was asked about Ott’s availability, but didn’t give much insight as to whether the star back will be good to go come Saturday’s game at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Simply put, Wilcox said Ott was “probable” to play against the Tigers.

Regardless of Ott’s availability, Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze said the Tigers’ defense will be prepared.

“He’s concerning. He is one of the better tailbacks in the country, without a doubt,” Freeze said of Ott during his time on Auburn’s Tiger Talk radio show on Monday. “We anticipate he’s playing and he is one of the best backs in the country. We’ll have to tackle really well.”

Coming into last year’s matchup, Ott gave Auburn some billboard material, saying there was “a lot of focus on the name ‘Auburn.”

“But what I’ve seen on film is not really in comparison to what their name is,” Ott continued. “I just want to get that into my guys’ heads that a name doesn’t mean anything.”

Ott went on to rush for 78 yards and scored the Golden Bears’ lone touchdown as the Tigers held on to win the game 14-10 last September.

Sam Jackson V, former Cal quarterback turned Auburn wide receiver, shared the sideline with Ott last season and told reporters on Tuesday that he’ll have a warning for Ott if the two talk ahead of Saturday’s game.

“Being on the other side now, I see what it’s really like. Obviously it’s the SEC. It’s Auburn in the SEC. This is a great program, a powerhouse,” Jackson said. “But if I talk to Ott this week, I’ll have to let him know it’s real over here, for sure. Just prepare for that.”