When you play in the SEC West, every game is going to be important. That is certainly the case again for Gus Malzahn and the Auburn Tigers with matchups against Alabama and LSU on the schedule along with a non-conference game against North Carolina.
Yet those aren’t the most important game for the Tigers this season, per ESPN. No, that will come in October when they travel to Athens to play in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.
From ESPN:
“It’s weird seeing Georgia in the middle of the Auburn schedule and not in its usual spot in mid-November, but things change. And partly because of that, this feels like a pivotal game for the Tigers because the first portion of the season sets up well with Alcorn State, UNC, Ole Miss, Southern Miss and Kentucky. Beat Georgia and you’re looking at a great season and coach Gus Malzahn inching off the hot seat. Lose and the whole outlook changes. Malzahn is suddenly in trouble and you’re staring down a second half of the season with Texas A&M, LSU and Alabama that looks downright scary.”
Yes, it is strange that the annual rivalry game between Auburn and Georgia will take place earlier in the season than usual, but that doesn’t make the schedule any easier. In fact, it might make it more difficult. The final slate of at home against LSU and then traveling to Tuscaloosa for the Iron Bowl is a test that every team would dread.
The Tigers should be 5-0 heading into Athens, so if they can walk out of Sanford Stadium with a win for the first time since 2005, a magical season could be possible.