Auburn football schedule: The 1 potential trap game facing Tigers

The Auburn football team must avoid the proverbial trap game to hold steady in 2021.

Even if it will be a bit of a rebuilding year under new Auburn football coach Bryan Harsin, the Tigers should have enough talent on the roster to have a competitive 2021 college season.

Despite going 6-4 in SEC-only play a season ago, Auburn decided it was time to part ways with former head coach Gus Malzahn. After a long and arduous search, Auburn was able to pry the former Boise State Broncos head coach away from his alma mater. Football may mean more in SEC Country, but Harsin and his staff could be in for a rude awakening in 2021 if they’re not ready.

Auburn football’s potential trap game for 2021 college season

In truth, the Auburn football schedule is such that the best-case scenario is going 8-4. The Tigers have a brutal road game in the non-conference at Penn State. Though they do get arch-rivals Alabama and Georgia at home this year, Auburn is not expected to win either of those home games. They also have to play at Tiger Stadium, Kyle Field and tricky Williams-Brice Stadium.

So if we are looking at a potential trap game for the Tigers, one that could lead to them going 7-5 or unfortunately 6-6, there are three games to keep an eye on: At Arkansas on Oct. 16, home vs. Ole Miss on Oct. 30 and home vs. Mississippi State on Nov. 13. Though all three give off some of the vibes as potential trap games, here is why the home date vs. Ole Miss is that one this season.

Auburn will be coming off its bye week ahead of the Ole Miss game. Even though the game vs. Arkansas will be in Fayetteville two weeks prior, don’t expect the Tigers to overlook the Hogs after how they narrowly defeated them a season ago, thanks to the SEC officials. With a tough Texas A&M game in College Station on Nov. 6, Auburn could overlook the Rebels to their misfortune.

Auburn only beat Ole Miss by a touchdown. It was one of three victories on the year for the Tigers that the SEC officials helped them win. The Arkansas blunder was egregious, but the mistakes made by the zebras in the Kentucky and Ole Miss games were far from great, too. With Ole Miss’ offense expected to put up points in Lane Kiffin’s second season, Auburn has to be ready for them.

Overall, Auburn cannot get complacent in 2021. There are no guarantees that the Tigers will finish in the top half of the SEC West standings. With Arkansas and the Mississippi schools improving, there is a chance all seven division rivals can achieve bowl eligibility this season. A win at home over Ole Miss will do wonders towards Auburn finishing well above .500 in the 2021 campaign.

When Ole Miss comes to town, Auburn better be ready for a good, old-fashioned shootout.

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