SEC Schedule a Day: Auburn

Well, I'm biased on this one, but I'm going to try and be fair. Honestly, if Brandon Cox gets injured this year, Auburn football won't be a source of joy for me this fall, cause there's not much talent behind him at the moment. Normally I would worry about a new defensive coordinator but since Will Muschamp is only one year removed from LSU, I have a feeling he's got a handle on things, it's just a matter of the players getting used to his scheme.

Sept 2 Washington State W: Season opening losses against USC and GT in 3 of the last 4 years make me a little gun shy about this game. Also, despite having an experienced secondary, a team coming into Jordan Hare and looking to throw at will scares me a bit. But somehow someway, I gotta figure Auburn wins by at least a touchdown in a night game at home. Unlike last year against Tech we won't have a new quarterback and tailback overwhelmed by the magesty of it all. But I no means expect a blowout.

Sept 9 @ Mississippi State W: Remember when the SEC West didn't have any easy games? Not any more. The last few games against the Bulldogs, I've been amazed at far behind they are athletically. They are only a small step up from the Lousiaina directional schools at this point. Jackie Sherrill may have cheated, but at least they were competitive. I fully expect to say the same thing about Orgeron in about 5-6 years.

Sept 16 LSU W: Like 2004, this game basically sets up the rest of the year. Tuberville has won all three home meetings against LSU and is 4-3 against them overall. Personally I think LSU is going to take a small step back from last year, and Auburn is going to take one forward, given the 5 missed FG game in Baton Rouge last year, I'm taking Auburn to win. However this has quietly become one of the most intense and best fought rivalries in football and it should be another close game. And by the way, LSU fans smell lick corn dogs.

Sept 23 Buffalo W: One of my favorite teams to bet against because they routinely get blown out and they were the setting for the first season of Fraternity Life on MTV. However, Auburn probably won't be a good bet on this day. The Tigers will be resting their starters because of the bull shit that is...

Sept 28 @ South Carolina (Thursday Night) L: I don't like anything about this game. What are we the Big East? Theoretically Auburn will at the very least by a top 10 team The other big games that weekend are Florida/bama and maybe UGA/Ole Miss. So chances are that at the very least you could have played on ESPN on a Saturday night and gotten just as much exposure, without pissing off your own fans. Idiots. Anyways, Auburn had way too easy of a time with USC last year b/c Mitchell was hurt, so I think we overlook them a little bit, plus Spurrier owns Tuberville. So much so, that everything Auburn does as a program is based on what Spurrier was able to accomplish at Florida to some degree. Interesting fact, Brandon Cox was most likely going to Florida until Spurrier took the job with the Redskins during the middle of recruiting. bama had Franchione at the time and was running the option, so we Cox fell right into our laps. So if Darth Visor ends up losing this game, it's his own fault.

I don't necessarily think Auburn will lose this game, but I have the feeling they will lose one, and this game makes the most sense. It could be LSU, UGA, or WSU at home or bama and Ole Miss on the road, but USC seems like the type of game Tuberville would lose.

Oct 7 Arkansas W: Auburn for the last few years has traditionally played better after the pressure is off. After losing to South Carolina, and dropping back into the #15 range they should feel at home. Arkansas picks the wrong weak to show up on the plains and suffers a loss. I could talk schemes here, but what's the point. Arkansas has some nice players here and there but they don't have the consistancy from position to position or the depth to win a game like this on the road.

Oct 14 Florida W: Even though it was a tough game during the Spurrier years, I really miss not playing Florida every year. No one would ever win a national championship but I wish the big 6 in the SEC could play each other every year. It sure as hell would be fun to watch. Anyways, Urban's flukey offense goes on the road to face Muschamp's aggresive D. It's hard for me to judge this game right now, because I can only base it on Florida from last year. But they still have a QB who is not a scrambler and they don't have a running back. The inappropriately heralded defense from last year should be about the same. Rumor has it that this will be an ESPN night game and I like Auburn. I remember seeing Chris Leak as freshman and wondering if he'd be at Florida long enough for this game, now I'm not even scared. Square peg round hole.

Oct 21 TulaneW: Unlike the Buffalo game, I'll probably drive down for this one. Maybe the Green Wave will have a future NFL QB again. Otherwise, this game will produce nothing of note.

Oct 28 @ Ole Miss W: Another scary game to me. Although thankfully, this may be a Lincoln Financial game and take the crowd completely out of it. Ole Miss' defense should be stout this year and Schaeffer should have settled in. I see it being uncomfortably close for 3 quarters then Auburn pulling out a 10-14 pt win.

Nov 4 Arkansas State W: Good chance to skip tailgating and walk around campus before the game. Plenty of leg room at the game as well which is always nice.

Nov 11 Georgia W: Undecided QB race, undecided starter at RB, all new secondary, two year losing streak, on the road. Sorry to my dawg friends, but another year of misery for you. But you know you're welcome at my tailgate, I'll help you find tickets, and show you a great place to park. Two years ago Borges attacked Thomas Davis and embarassed him, Greg Blue looked like an idiot this year, what overhyped UGA safety is Auburn going to abuse this year? And in case you're wondering David Pollack's motor still hasn't stopped, and history hasn't changed he did play pee wee football with David Greene.

Nov 18 @ Tuscaloosa W: What can I say? Until bama proves other wise, Auburn is the more dominant program right now. And until they beat us in Tuscaloosa, how can I not pick Auburn to win at Tommy Tuberville Field at Bryant Denny Stadium. But to be more specific, did you see the 2005 Iron Bowl? But it's the Iron Bowl, and despite past successes, it is a road game. Auburn wins by a touchdown, 5 straight wins, grown men openly weep all across Alabama. Some in joy many more in sadness.

11-1? Seems like a homer pick at first glance I guess. Last year I had them going 10-1 and splitting the LSU/UGA road games. I was right on that account but completely didn't see the Tech loss coming. Worse case scenario they drop two home games between LSU, Florida, and UGA, and lose one of the road games and end up 9-3. Which would definitely be a disappointment. But in general, there is enough experience returning, great coaching, and a favorable schedule. Sets up rather nice.

Get your jean shorts and tube tops ready for the Florida preview on Monday.