During the recent SEC Media Days along the Gulf Coast, the media covering the event released their consensus opinion on where each team will finish in the conference.
As per usual, Auburn received no love from the group, and was picked to finish 4th in the SEC West. They also ranked Auburn a consensus 7th within the entire SEC, barely making Auburn eligible for a Bowl game.
With that as a premise, lets look at those upcoming games from an Auburn perspective, and see where we will most likely finish. Here is the upcoming schedule provided by the AUfficial site.
2012-2013 SCHEDULE
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| Date | Game | Location | Time / Result |
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| 09/01/12 | vs. Clemson  |
Atlanta, Ga. (Georgia Dome) | 6:00 p.m. CT |
| 09/08/12 | at Mississippi State * |
Starkville, Miss. | 11:00 a.m. CT |
| 09/15/12 | vs. Louisiana-Monroe |
Auburn, Ala. | 11:21 a.m. CT |
| 09/22/12 | vs. LSU * | Auburn, Ala. | TBA |
| 10/06/12 | vs. Arkansas * | Auburn, Ala. | TBA |
| 10/13/12 | at Ole Miss * | Oxford, Miss. | TBA |
| 10/20/12 | at Vanderbilt * | Nashville, Tenn. | TBA |
| 10/27/12 | vs. Texas A&M * | Auburn, Ala. | TBA |
| 11/03/12 | vs. New Mexico State (HC) | Auburn, Ala. | TBA |
| 11/10/12 | vs. Georgia * | Auburn, Ala. | TBA |
| 11/17/12 | vs. Alabama A&M | Auburn, Ala. | TBA |
| 11/24/12 | at Alabama * | Tuscaloosa, Ala. | TBA |
Clemson
Auburn has been very successful in the Georgia Dome under Gene Chizik. Clemson has some new offensive linemen in the starting positions, and that never leads to good things. Especially when that first game is such a big event like the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic.
Had this game been in Clemson, I would have to give the purple Tigers the edge, but given that Auburn, and Chizik have had more experience in "Big Games", I have to go with Auburn in this match.
So, now we start at 1-0.
Mississippi State
What can I say. Dan Mullen has yet to prove that he can get his team to victory in these contests with Auburn, and until he does, I can not pick the maroon Dogs of Starkville, MS, even at home against Auburn.
That takes us to 2-0
LSU
Ah yes, the consensus #1 team in the SEC, and for most sportswriters the #1 team in America. Where could any logical person find any reason to pick a loss for LSU in this game? My answer to that is Quarterback!
The record of first year starting quarterbacks winning their first road game in the SEC has to be dismal. While I can't give you exact numbers, I will say that I doubt seriously that any first time, first road game, first conference road game QB could come into Jordan-Hare and walk out a victor more times than not. Especially with Auburn returning so much depth, and talent along the defensive front. By the smallest margin, the JHS crowd will pull these orange and blue Tigers through to an Auburn win.
Suddenly Auburn is 4-0 and rocketing up the rankings.
That gets us through September. Next time we will take a look at October, and the perils that lie within.
WAR EAGLE!
