Alabama football opponents from worst to best: No. 2 Auburn
By Ronald Evans
Each Monday leading up to the 2017 Alabama football season we focus on a Tide opponent from the projected worst team to the best. No. 2 is Auburn.
The rundown of the 2017 Alabama football season started with this report on the Mercer Bears. Then we covered Fresno State, Colorado State, Vanderbilt, Mississippi State, Tennessee, Arkansas, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and last week LSU.
2017 Alabama Football Opponents from Worst to Best
No. 12 – Mercer Bears
No. 11 – Fresno State Bulldogs
No. 10 – Colorado State Rams
No. 9 – Vanderbilt Commodores
No. 8 – Mississippi State Bulldogs
No. 7 – Tennessee Volunteers
No. 6 – Arkansas Razorbacks
No. 5 – Ole Miss Rebels/Black Bears
No. 4 – Texas A&M Aggies
No. 3 – LSU Tigers
No. 2 – Auburn Tigers – November 25, Auburn, AL
Aurbrun in Jordan-Hare in late November – what could possibly go wrong Alabama football fans? On second thought, don’t answer that question.
For the 99 percent of readers who don’t understand the ‘Aurbrun’ reference, the man named Jordan, from which the Tigers’ stadium gets half its name did not pronounce Auburn as Auburn. Coming out of Shug’s mouth the loveliest village on the plains and the school named after it was ‘Aurbrun.’
Let’s talk Football
Enough for obtuse history lessons, let’s talk football. As much as it pains me to admit it, Auburn will be better this season. The main reason is they have a real quarterback. I’m not buying into the Stidham for Heisman hype but he has a big arm and good accuracy.
Stidham will never match Cam or Nick Marshall running the option but he can be adequate running the football. If Gus really does let Chip Lindsey run the Tigers offense, Auburn could be explosive. The offensive line should be better, led by Braden Smith. Running backs Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson could both have 1000 yard seasons.
Auburn’s defensive line can be very good even after attrition from 2016. The linebackers and secondary may not be great but they are more than competent. The Tigers may have the best place-kicker in the nation in Daniel Carlson.
With all the craziness that can transpire in Jordan-Hare, discounting the Tigers would be unwise in an Iron Bowl contest. It is a long way until late November but my best current guess is a tight game.
Next: Latest post-fall-camp-scrimmages Depth Chart
Now that Auburn is our No. 2 pick in the worst to best Alabama football opponents ranking, only FSU is left. Over the next several days we will look at the FSU contest in great detail. Check in with us often.