Believe it or not, we are just a few short weeks away from the return of college football.
With the playoff field expanding to 12-teams, the 2024 season is shaping up to be one of the greatest in history.
Most analysts consider the top four teams in the country to be Georgia, Ohio State, Texas and Oregon. However, there are always more than a few surprises and with the expanded field we are surely in-store for some madness.
As for the SEC, Auburn has struggled in recent years, failing to be true contenders in the conference since 2017.
The Tigers have endured three consecutive losing seasons, and prior to that streak, they managed just a 6-5 record. However, there is a sense of optimism surrounding the program as the new season draws near.
Even ESPN’s Paul Finebaum has expressed a growing confidence in Auburn’s prospects. He believes that an 8-4 season is within reach, though he cautions that this won’t be enough to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff.
“I’m getting a little higher on Auburn than I was,” Finebaum admitted. “I think 8-4 is doable. That will not be enough to get into the playoffs, though.”
Finebaum predicts that Auburn will start the season strong, potentially winning their first five games, all of which are at home.
The fifth game is particularly notable as it pits Auburn against SEC newcomers, the Oklahoma Sooners. However, Finebaum warns that the schedule becomes significantly more challenging after that.
Following the Oklahoma clash, Auburn will face a tough stretch with three consecutive conference road games against Georgia, Missouri, and Kentucky.
They will then return home to play Texas A&M before ending the season on the road against Alabama.
Navigating this difficult part of the schedule will be crucial for Auburn. If they can manage it successfully, an 8-4 record certainly seems realistic.
If they can pull off a significant surprise or two, perhaps they could even sneak into the CFB Playoff.
What are your thoughts on Finebaum’s comments?
Are you a believer in Auburn? To what extent? … Would an 8-4 record be acceptable? Or should the Tigers expect even better???