Alabama football opponents from worst to best: No. 2 Auburn

NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Gus Malzahn of the Auburn Tigers reacts during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 02: Head coach Gus Malzahn of the Auburn Tigers reacts during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /
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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 StateVanderbiltMississippi State, TennesseeArkansasOle MissTexas 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.