AUBURN — There are more than three months left until coach Hugh Freeze's second season with Auburn football. But with the acquisition of several transfers, including former Penn State receiver Ke'Andre Lambert-Smith and former Arkansas State edge defender Keylon Crawford, there is some cautious optimism.
Can the Tigers improve on the 6-7 record they had in Freeze's first campaign? That should be on the floor. Auburn hasn't posted a record above .500 for three consecutive seasons since 2020. Something like this hasn't happened since 1975-77, when the program went a combined 11-20-2.
With a bit of offseason left, here's a ranking of Auburn's 12 games scheduled for 2024 from easiest to most difficult.
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12. August 31st (Week 1) vs. Alabama A&M
Auburn has an overall record of 28-0 against FCS opponents. There's no reason to think that will change, especially after the Tigers dealt Sanford a 32-point loss last season. Alabama A&M has gone a combined 9-13 over the past two seasons with notable losses to Florida A&M, Jackson State, Troy and Vanderbilt.
11. November 16th (Week 12) vs. Louisiana Monroe
The plot that Terry Bolden would return to Jordan-Hare Stadium was dashed in November. Louisiana Monroe fired the former Auburn coach after three consecutive seasons with four or fewer wins. The Warhawks, now led by Matt Viator, will receive a tough test late in the season against Auburn.
10. September 14 vs. New Mexico (Week 3)
Relax, Auburn fans. This is New Mexico, not New Mexico. Last season's debacle against the Aggies — a not-so-close 21-point loss at home — proves the Tigers should never take anyone lightly. However, like Louisiana-Monroe, the Lobos will be led by a new coach in Bronco Mendenhall. As a first-year coach he enters an SEC stadium, which should give him one of the toughest challenges in this sport.
9. September 7 vs. California (Week 2)
Cal is poised to be Auburn's toughest contest in the non-conference bracket. Last season, the Golden Bears put the Tigers in a tight spot and won on an interception by DJ James late in the fourth quarter. However, that game was played in Berkeley. This time it will be held in the tropical heat.
8. Nov. 2 vs. Vanderbilt (Week 10)
Auburn doesn't have to play New Mexico State, but it may have to play its former quarterback. Diego Pavia, who threw for 201 yards and three touchdowns in the upset over the Tigers, transferred to Vanderbilt this offseason. He will also be accompanied by former New Mexico State coach Jerry Kill, who joined the Commodores in January as the head coach's chief consultant and senior offensive advisor.
7. September 21st (Week 4) vs. Arkansas
Last season's win over Arkansas was Auburn's best win of the season. Things looked good on all fronts early on for the Tigers as they marched down the field on the offense's first drive, got a stop on defense and got a return on the ensuing punt. It all happened on the street too. Under normal circumstances, Auburn would take on the Razorbacks, especially at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
6. November 23rd (Week 13) vs. Texas A&M
Mike Elko, another first-year coach the Tigers will play for in 2024, was hired by Texas A&M in November to replace the fired Jimbo Fisher. But the difference between Elko, Viator and Mendenhall is the fact that the Aggies still boast SEC talent.
5. October 26th (Week 9) at Kentucky
Kentucky may not be the scariest team on paper, but the Wildcats will be home against Auburn in late October. Always a solid team under coach Mark Stoops — Kentucky has won seven or more games in seven of the past eight seasons — Georgia transfer Brock Vandagriff will lead the show at quarterback. It will be interesting to see how the offense goes.
4. September 28th (Week 5) vs. Oklahoma
Few would dispute the claim that Oklahoma is more talented than Auburn. The Sooners won 10 games last season, but the Tigers haven't won since 2017. But the advantage Auburn has is that this matchup will be Oklahoma's first road game in the SEC. Jordan Hare Stadium needs to bring it.
3. October 19th in Missouri (Week 8)
Who would have thought that Missouri would be so high on this list? Coach Elijah Drinkwitz has struggled in his first three seasons, but he has 11 goals in 2023, including a win over Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. They made great strides with a record of two wins and two losses. Missouri's offense, with quarterback Brady Cook and receiver Luther Burden III set to return, is one of the most feared in the SEC.
2. November 30th in Alabama (Week 14)
Nick Saban is gone, but it's still Alabama. Auburn hasn't won at Bryant-Denny Stadium since 2010, when former AU quarterback Cam Newton erased a 24-point deficit in one of the most iconic Iron Bowls. New Crimson Tide coach Karen DeBoer has her job cut out for her, but picking Auburn to win in Tuscaloosa is a risk until the Tigers show they can win there again.
1. October 5th (6th week) in Georgia
Georgia is 42-2 over the past three seasons and has defeated Auburn seven times in a row. The Tigers haven't beaten the Bulldogs on the road since 2005. That's enough.
Richard Silva is the Auburn Athletics beat writer for the Montgomery Advertiser. He can be reached via email at rsilva@gannett.com or at X (formerly Twitter name @rich_silva18).
