First thing: this is not a prediction of how Auburn's season will go. I don't like to predict or make projections on my teams because I'm scared it'll jinx something, so I repeat again: this is not a prediction. This is simply a ranking of the schedule from the easier ones to the harder ones. This ranking would be basically the same no matter which team was playing this schedule. That said, here it is.
12. Alabama A&M Bulldogs - Home on November 19th.
11. ULM Warhawks - Home (HC) on October 1st.
10. Arkansas State Red Wolves - Home on September 10th.
These first three are "cupcakes," so they were clearly the bottom ("easiest") three, but the order was somewhat random.
9. Vanderbilt Commodores - Home on November 5th.
8. Arkansas Razorbacks - Home on October 22nd.
They lost a lot of talent this last offseason, and it's a home game coming off of a bye.
7. Mississippi State Bulldogs - Away on October 8th.
Also lost a lot of talent (most importantly Dak Prescott), but it's an away game with those dang cowbells.
6. Texas A&M Aggies - Home on September 17th.
A&M could be a pretty good team, but it is a home game so that drops it on this ranking.
5. #11 Ole Miss Rebels - Away on October 29th.
They lost some studs on offense and defense, but still have Chad Kelly.
4. #2 Clemson Tigers - Home on September 3rd.
I know, the second-ranked team in the country only at number 4? But listen, they are a great team, but this is a home opener, at night, with the whole pre-season to prepare. That gives more advantages than some of the other games.
3. #18 Georgia Bulldogs - Away on November 12th.
Yes, I have them ahead of two higher ranked teams and here's why. 1.) Ole Miss lost a LOT of their best players, and it's harder to play in Athens (in my opinion). 2.) There is no benefit of extended preparation (as with Clemson) and again, it's an away game.
2. #5 LSU Tigers - Home on September 24th.
I know they are lower ranked than Clemson and it's also a home game, but their bruising style is punishing after having faced an SEC opponent the week before (A&M) and there isn't as much preparation.
1. #1 Alabama Crimson Tide - Away on November 26th.
EASLY number one hardest game on the schedule. It would be the hardest game on anyone's schedule, and we get a double reasoning as the Iron Bowl would be number one even if both teams were unranked.
Clearly home field means something, and it means a lot in the SEC. That, along with preparation and opponent, determined the order of these rankings. Again, not a prediction, but there are a lot of tough games on here. Still, who knows what will happen?
War Eagle!
