SEC Schedule a Day: Auburn

This seems like about the 12th straight year that at least one of Auburn's coordinators is new. But since it's an olympic year they decided to pull the double swap. Will Muschamp made the lateral move to Texas and Al Borges is somewhere in a Hawaiian Shirt. The good new is for Auburn is that it's an even numbered year and the SEC slate is more favorable.

8/30 Louisiana Monroe

Seriously? bama actually lost to Louisiana Monroe? Was there starting QB hurt? No? hmm... that's gotta sting. Auburn unveils The System under new offensive coordinator Tony Franklin. Which will be a pretty good indicator right off the bat. In recent even numbered years Tuberville has kept everything basic the first two games in order to prevent LSU from picking up too much film. And in general, it seems that Tubbs has also strongly encouraged the offensive coaches to play close to the vest in general. If Auburn comes out in the first game and slings the ball around and tries to put 40 in the first half it will be an exciting year. If they pull the typical limited playbook, work on the ground game game plan, then I'll have my doubts about this new offense. But yeah, Auburn wins.

9/06 Southern Miss

Brett Favre is not walking through that door. It's a nice little warmup for the LSU game though. Being a night game on ESPN it should get the crowd a little more into things than they should for this game. Auburn rolls.

9/13 @ Mississippi State

So sadly, Starkville is a game I haven't attended (along with tuscaloosa) in the SEC. Last year's game broke up a run of absolute futility by the Bulldogs against Auburn. After the loss I ventured back to Atlanta and hung out with some UGA fans. I decided to take the positive approach and focus on the Kodi Burns and Mario Fannin coming out party. It's quite possible that those two could actually dominate this game. I actually think this is one of those games where teams play better on the road. It's really hard to overlook and opponent on the road compared to the sleepy showing in a home LF/JP/Raycom 11:30 game. I think it's back to normal and Auburn wins by 21 or more.

9/20 LSU

The last four games in this series have been epic. Last second occasions featuring rekicked field goals, 5 missed field goals, a red zone stand at the buzzer, and the most successful bonehead clock management in history. After seemingly the last 50 games of this matchup in Auburn being daytime affairs, ESPN rolls in to town for night time kickoff. Things might get a little crazy. This game (and season) feels a lot like 2004. LSU had the defense and the uglies on offense to be good in their repeat MNC bid. However they didn't have the QB. Turns out the Auburn coaches might have been on to something when they quit recruiting Ryan Perriloux. I say Auburn moves the ball through the air and the Bayou Bengals get their ground game working. I'm thinking Auburn wins 27-24. I'll set the odds at 100% that I won't be able to drive back to Atlanta after the game.

9/27 Tennessee

Burnt Orange is better than Creamsicle. I expect UT to be one of those teams that is really good but for whatever reason doesn't throw up great results. I'm taking Auburn based on home field advantage and the three game streak in the Tigers' favor.

10/04 @ Vandy

Playing at Vandy and going to the spring scrimmage are very similar affairs. The attendance, the pressure, the ability to play 3rd stringers. So Vandy's best chance is to catch Auburn sleeping, which is certainly a possibility. However I don't think the Dores have the fire power to hold onto a half time lead. Tigers lead.

10/11 Arkansas

No Fred Talley, No Matt Jones, No Houston Nutt, No Kryptonite. Auburn wins this one with ease.

10/23 @ West Virginia

Can't wait to head up to Morgantown for this Thursday night showdown. This should be an absolute brawl. I don't think the Mountaineers will have quite as much consistent firepower as they've had in the past. But Noel Devine or Pat White are going to rip off a big play or two before the game is over. I would typically give the advantage to Auburn. But without using stats to back my theory up, I always take the road team when both schools have an off week heading into the game. Auburn wins the game and enters the media circus by at least reaching the top 4.

11/01 at Ole Miss

Yeah so, I think the Houston Nutt curse transfers to Ole Miss. Physical power running team that punches a speed based and undersized Auburn defense in the mouth. The tradition of Auburn losing with the national spotlight on them continues. Ole Miss wins by a field goal.

11/08 UT-Martin

If you didn't know, Auburn used to be with Russell Athletic before switching to Under Armour. Well UT-Martin pulled the high school move and uses Auburn's old uniform design. So It's going to be a weird sight on the field at Jordan Hare. But as usual this is a game to see the players of the future. Auburn puts it out of reach in the first half.

11/15 Georgia

Between Will Muschamp and Brandon Cox moving on, that's like Auburn automatically gaining about 35 points against the dawgs. Once again this season really reminds me of 2004. UGA entered the season gaining much of the press with David Greene and David Pollack entering their senior seasons. Auburn got some pub but was ranked a good bit lower in the polls for most of the season. Auburn then completed one of the most textbook wins I've ever watched. This year will be a repeat. Auburn recovers from their Ole Miss loss and tempts me with national title hopes that will somehow fall through.

11/29 Iron Bowl



SEC: 7-1
Season: 11-1