The Auburn Tigers are entering a new era. Head coach Bryan Harsin has full control of the program now, and he is set to rebuild it his way over the next few seasons.
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Unfortunately for Harsin, it may take some time for his Tigers to kick it into gear.
Auburn has one of the toughest schedules in the entire NCAA. Some teams in the SEC West get to face off against the likes of Kentucky, Missouri, and Vanderbilt, but the Tigers will miss all of those teams this season.
Auburn's season starts off relatively easy, with a pair of home games against the Akron Zips and Alabama State Hornets. An intriguing non-conference matchup in Week 3 pits the Tigers and the Penn State Nittany Lions.
This has the makings to a great one, especially considering both squads are looking to bounce back from rough 2020 seasons.
The first game against an SEC opponent comes on October 2 against the LSU Tigers. More tough matchups continue after that, including a home tilt against Georgia and a fight with the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station.
2021 @AuburnFootball Schedule#WarEagle x #SECFB pic.twitter.com/ws2DTMifhE
— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) January 27, 2021
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Of course, Auburn's regular season will end with the Iron Bowl against the rival Alabama Crimson Tide. There is never a dull moment in this series, so no matter how the defending champs are performing, Auburn will always make it fun to watch.
Auburn University hasn't played in Atlanta's SEC Championship Game since 2017. It won't be easy this season, and they may have to grind out every in-conference matchup, but gutsy performances will help build character for Bryan Harsin and his staff.
Before long, the goal of reaching the College Football Playoff will definitely get more and more attainable.
Auburn Football Schedule 2021
Sept. 4: AKRON
Sept. 11: ALABAMA STATE
Sept. 18: at Penn State (University Park, PA)
Sept. 25: GEORGIA STATE
Oct. 2: at LSU* (Baton Rouge, LA)
Oct. 9: GEORGIA*
Oct. 16: at Arkansas* (Fayetteville, AR)
Oct. 30: OLE MISS*
Nov. 6: at Texas A&M* (College Station, TX)
Nov. 13: MISSISSIPPI STATE*
Nov. 20: at South Carolina* (Columbia, SC)
Nov. 27: ALABAMA*
* — Denotes SEC game
ALL CAPS — Denotes home game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama
