AUBURN — Auburn football continues to strive for 2024.
The Tigers will open next season with five straight home games. It's a good chance to build some momentum before the calendar switches to October, but Georgia, Missouri and Kentucky are all scheduled to play right after that.
Auburn won six games in 2023, but that's not going to be the case in Hugh Freeze's second season as manager, and he seems to know it. Some games, such as the matchup with Georgia in Athens, were played with the Tigers waiting to snatch a road win from the Bulldogs, even though Auburn pushed the Tigers to the brink last season at Jordan-Hare Stadium. It means that there are no decent fans, so they are expected to lose. .
However, many other games involve flipping a coin. These contests will determine what kind of season the Tigers will have.
Below, we list the five games on Auburn's 2024 schedule in chronological order.
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September 7th (Week 2) vs. California
Cal, perhaps the least flashy team on this list, made Auburn sweat a little last season when the Tigers traveled to California in Week 2 and won 14-10. With the offense sputtering throughout and Auburn trailing for most of the second half, cornerback DJ James made a late interception in the end zone to seal the deal. At least on paper, the Tigers have more talent this time around and have the advantage of playing at home. Auburn should be favored in this game, but that doesn't mean we can discount the Golden Bears.
September 28th (Week 5) vs. Oklahoma
The bad news for Auburn is that Oklahoma will win 10 games in 2023, a feat the Tigers haven't accomplished since before the coronavirus pandemic. But is it good news for Freeze's team? The matchup will be the Sooners' first SEC road game in their first year in the conference and comes one week after hosting Tennessee in Norman in the conference opener. Redshirt freshman quarterback Jackson-Arnold is talented but will have to show some poise at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
October 19th (Week 8) in Missouri
Missouri was the conference's biggest surprise last season, winning by double digits for the first time since 2014 and defeating Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Coach Eli Drinkwitz returns a QB (Brady Cook) and an All-SEC receiver (Luther Baden III) who ranks fifth in the SEC in total offensive yards per game (434.3). He was appointed as the headliner of the unit. Can Auburn keep up? The answer to that question in 2023 would have been a resounding no, but perhaps some receiver reinforcements and a new offensive coordinator could have put Auburn in a better position.
October 26th (Week 9) at Kentucky
Historically, Auburn has the advantage in this regard. The Tigers are 13-4 all-time in road games at Kentucky, last losing at Lexington in 1966, but Auburn has played them three times since 1995. With the division evaporating, the Tigers will have more opportunities to play against the Wildcats. Kentucky has always been solid under coach Mark Stoops and has a former highly rated recruit under center at quarterback Brock Vandagriff. Road games are tough, but Auburn needs this.
November 23rd (Week 13) vs. Texas A&M
Perhaps the Tigers can look ahead and catch Texas A&M? Both teams have important games in the week immediately following this game, with Auburn playing in the Iron Bowl and the Aggies playing Texas, but A&M and Longhorns will likely get a little more attention as it will be their first meeting. unknown. If the Aggies focus too much on Texas, it could create an opportunity for Auburn to add more wins late in the season.
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).
