The Bryan Harsin era will officially begin this weekend, but it will be another two weeks before Auburn will face its first test.
Auburn opens the season with two home games against Akron and Alabama State before traveling to Penn State in the third week. Neither of the first two games should be competitive, as Akron is expected to be one of the worst FBS teams in the country and Alabama State is an FCS program. Auburn is simply in a different class of football than the two.
That does not mean Auburn shouldn’t take the games seriously. Also, there will still be plenty to learn as the coaches and players try to work out the kinks of a new season and a brand-new system. Here are five players with something to prove in the opening game against Akron.