After a few seasons of disappointments, the Auburn Tigers are poised to return to a bowl game in 2023.
Their journey to the postseason could see a few roadblocks, however, as a “letdown” game or two is destined to happen. Out of all the games on Auburn’s schedule, which game would be viewed as an “upset” if the Tigers were to lose? Roll Tide Wire takes a look.
AJ Spurr of Roll Tide Wire recently picked one game on each SEC team’s schedule that could result in a shocking loss. For Auburn, it could take place on Nov. 4 at Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt’s experience could be the deciding factor in a close game says Spurr.
There might be other games that could result in some surprising Auburn losses, like the road trip the Tigers will take to face Cal, but a loss to Vanderbilt would be the worst of them all. No one would be shocked if Auburn won this matchup. However, the same would have been said in 2022 if Florida and Kentucky defeated the Commodores. Instead, Clark Lea’s Vandy squad took down both of them. In a season where Hugh Freeze will still be getting a feel for his new program, I could see this team, which is mostly comprised of upperclassmen, earn a hard-fought win. It’s also worth noting that this game takes place in Nashville.
On the contrary, Auburn has the best chance to deliver a shocking loss to Texas A&M in late September. Auburn’s placement in the Aggies’ schedule comes at a pivotal time, and a loss to the Tigers could derail Texas A&M’s season.
The 2022 Texas A&M team was a disappointing one. Failing to make a bowl game was a shock, given the historic recruiting class and high expectations everyone had for Jimbo Fisher’s Aggies. Now, in 2023, this program is in dire need of a decent season. What that may be? It’s up for interpretation. If last year wasn’t as bad, I’d list Miami as a potential shocking loss. However, with the game being in Miami Gardens this time around, I don’t think a Hurricanes win would shock anybody. For that reason, I’m listing Auburn as the surprising loss for the Aggies. That game takes place in College Station and the Tigers are not expected to make a lot of noise. An early-season loss to Auburn at home could easily have this team at 2-2 heading into a very tough stretch of the schedule.
Auburn football is looking to bounce back following a 5-7 season in 2022, a season in which the Tigers missed a bowl game for the first time since 2012. The schedule appears to be favorable for Auburn to win at least six games, maybe more. Expect head coach Hugh Freeze to bring signs of life back into the program this season.
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