Fansided

5 reasons Gus Malzahn doesn’t make it past 2016 season

By John Buhler

Apr 18, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn looks on during the spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 18, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn looks on during the spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 31, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA;Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney (center) prepares to lead his team onto the field prior to the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 31, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA;Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney (center) prepares to lead his team onto the field prior to the first half against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Clemson at home to start the season.

Auburn has done a fine job in scheduling other Power 5 schools in the non-conference during the Malzahn era. The Tigers beat the Pac-12’s Washington State Cougars, 31-24 at home during their 2013 SEC Championship season.

Auburn survived a tough battle in Manhattan, Kansas midseason when the Tigers topped Bill Snyder’s Kansas State Wildcats of the Big 12, 20-14 in a Thursday night affair. The Tigers even topped Bobby Petrino’s Louisville Cardinals of the ACC at the 2015 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff in the Georgia Dome, 31-24.

While Auburn managed to win close games against solid Power 5 programs in the non-conference in the first three years of the Malzahn era, it will not continue in 2016. That’s because last year’s National Runner-Up in Dabo Swinney’s Clemson Tigers come to Jordan-Hare Stadium still bitter after coming up a tad short against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the College Football Playoff.

Though it will be a road game for Clemson, one would have to believe that South Carolina state school will be favored over the Alabama state school of Auburn on this primetime September 3rd affair.

While a home loss to Clemson wouldn’t necessarily derail Auburn’s 2016 season entirely, it could set the tone for both Tiger programs’ seasons. Though expected, it’s still a gamble to schedule a major Power 5 opponent in the non-conference.

While Auburn has been lucky to survive its previous three attempts in the Malzahn era, a blowout loss at home to powerhouse Clemson would leave War Eagle Nation scratching their heads on why Jacobs gave Malzahn that extension when he did. Though a win over Clemson would absolutely work in both Malzahn and Auburn’s favor, it still doesn’t seem likely and probably a loss for a coach still on the hot seat in many fans’ eyes.

Next: 4. On-going quarterback controversy.

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