The Auburn Tigers have had some struggles over the last few years - particularly offensively - but this year should be different. Former Baylor QB Jarrett Stidham is ready to take a control of the offense and there's plenty of talent on the roster. Auburn has what it takes to make a run at the SEC West title. Can they accomplish that goal and compete for a College Football Playoff spot? Here's a game-by-game prediction of Auburn's schedule this year:
Week 1: vs. Georgia Southern Eagles
Prediction: WIN (1-0)
Georgia Southern is a good team, but they don't have the talent to hang with a team like Auburn for 60 minutes.
Week 2: at Clemson Tigers
Prediction: LOSS (1-1)
Auburn will be much better this season with Stidham under center, but they will undoubtedly have some hiccups in their first major road test. Playing at home will give Clemson the narrow win.
Week 3: vs. Mercer Bears
Prediction: WIN (2-1)
This is going to be a bloodbath.
Week 4: at Missouri Tigers
Prediction: WIN (3-1)
Mizzou is projected to be the worst team in the SEC East again this year. They will be lucky to score more than 14 points against Auburn's dominant defense.
Week 5: vs. Mississippi State Bulldogs
Prediction: WIN (4-1)
The Bulldogs are another SEC West team looking to break through, and led by quarterback Nick Fitzgerald, they should have a very competitive team. However, they're a one-dimensional offense and Auburn defends the run as well as anyone. It will be a shock if the Bulldogs pull off the upset - especially on the road.
Week 6: vs. Ole Miss Rebels
Prediction: WIN (5-1)
Ole Miss was a mess last year and they're not going to get any better after the Hugh Freeze fiasco. They're on the verge of getting crushed by the NCAA, and that will affect them on the field.
Week 7: at LSU Tigers
Prediction: LOSS (5-2)
This game will likely be a night game - and we all know that LSU doesn't lose night games in Death Valley. Still, this will be an extremely close contest.
Week 8: at Arkansas Razorbacks
Prediction: WIN (6-2)
Auburn has won three of the last four meetings between the two sides (including a 56-3 beatdown last year) because of their ability to dictate tempo and the pace of play. They'll get Arkansas to play faster than they want to and will win again rather comfortably.
Week 9: BYE
Week 10: at Texas A&M Aggies
Prediction: WIN (7-2)
Under Gus Malzahn, Auburn is 6-0 in games immediately following a bye week. That's bad news for Texas A&M.
Week 11: vs. Georgia Bulldogs
Prediction: WIN (8-2)
Georgia is a team with a lot of talent, but that talent has a history of not playing their best against quality competition. Last year, they were just 3-3 against teams that finished the season with a winning record, and only one of those wins came on the road (at Kentucky). Auburn holds the upper hand in this one because of that track record and because it's at Jordan Hare.
Week 12: vs. UL-Monroe Warhawks
Prediction: WIN (9-2)
Another Group of 5 opponent, another blowout in favor of the Tigers.
Week 13: vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Prediction: LOSS (9-3)
Auburn's defense and running game have always been good. Now, they're getting a top quarterback in Baylor transfer Jarrett Stidham. His ability to fit this system could make Auburn a surprise team in 2017, making them a tough test against Alabama - especially since that game is at Auburn. The Tide will win, but it'll be close.
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