Auburn Football: Why the Game Against Samford is Important
Aug 30, 2014; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Samford Bulldogs wide receiver JaUan Davis (85) returns a kick during the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Horned Frogs defeated the Bulldogs 48-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Cupcake Weekend.
That’s what many people, both inside and out of the Southeastern Conference, think of this week’s slate of SEC non-conference games including Eastern Kentucky at Florida, Charleston Southern at Georgia, Western Carolina at Alabama, South Alabama at South Carolina, and finally, Samford at Auburn.
It’s a four pack of games featuring FCS lightweights (plus a recent addition to FBS) visiting SEC coliseums to be slaughtered and take a handsome paycheck back to their athletic departments for their troubles.
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From a fan’s perspective, it can be very difficult to get excited about one of these lopsided matchups. Especially considering the way the last two Auburn football games have gone.
The primetime kickoff would normally be very exciting, but the weather forecast (51 degrees and 100% chance of rain) makes one think the conditions in the stands will be downright miserable.
Plus, it’s the Saturday before Thanksgiving Break and school will be out all next week. Many students saw this week’s opponent on the schedule months ago and made plans to spend the weekend at home – or perhaps even on vacation in some warm or exotic locale – instead of sitting through a likely blowout win at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
However, the Samford Bulldogs won’t necessarily be a pushover. They come to town with a 7-3 overall record, a roster with talent and more than a few FBS transfers, and the last time the Bulldogs played Auburn the final score was only 35-16. And there are at least five more specific reasons why the game is important.
Next: Why the Game Against Samford is Important, Continued