College Football: 5 reasons Auburn wins 2017 National Championship
4. Favorable schedule
Look no further than last season to see the effects of a favorable schedule with the Washington Huskies. Now, that’s not to take away from Washington, but a favorable schedule certainly helps. All things considered, Auburn has a fairly favorable schedule. Well, as favorable a schedule as one team will get playing in the SEC West.
As the case with most of the SEC, the Tigers’ non-conference schedule is a cake-walk. Week 1 is essentially a scrimmage against Georgia Southern as they prepare for Clemson on Sep. 9. The Tigers head to Death Valley in Week 2 as they look to avenge last year’s heartbreaking loss. Following the Clemson game, Auburn returns home to face Mercer before beginning SEC play. Every one of the Tigers’ first three non-conference games could result in a win. Pending an incredible upset, Auburn will begin SEC play with at least a 2-1 record. At the end of the season, an early loss on the road to Clemson doesn’t do too much damage either.
To kickoff SEC play, the Tigers will travel to Missouri before heading back to Jordan-Hare to host the Mississippi duo. Missouri is likely one of Auburn’s worst opponents, so Gus Malzahn and his staff are likely not scared of a trip to Columbia. However, it is Mississippi State at home that could cause a problem for Auburn. The Tigers will then host a struggling Ole Miss squad before traveling to LSU’s Death Valley and Fayetteville, Arkansas to cap off their toughest stint of the season. A Saturday night trip to Baton Rouge is never fun for visiting teams and Arkansas will likely be in its late-season form by the time Auburn rolls around.
Luckily for the Tigers, though, they return home from Fayetteville to a bye week. Auburn then travels to Kyle Field, where it will match up against a Texas A&M team notorious for bad November stints. The game in Kyle Field will be Auburn’s last road game before returning home to host Georgia, Louisiana-Monroe and Alabama. All eyes will be on the Iron Bowl against the Tide, but the Bulldogs of Georgia must not be overlooked. In the end, no team will complain about a three-game home stint to end the season.
Obviously, a Saturday night in Death Valley and a trip to Clemson aren’t exactly easy. However, hosting the likes of Alabama, Mississippi State and Georgia at home certainly make the schedule a tad easier. Additionally, the Tigers don’t have the punishing end of season schedule that other SEC West opponents, such as LSU, do. For this reason, the Tigers can replicate Washington’s success from 2016 and grab a spot in the playoff.