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Auburn Football’s Path to the SEC Championship Game

By Jake Mastroianni

Oct 29, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Sean White (13) celebrates with fans after the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Auburn won 40-29. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2016; Oxford, MS, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Sean White (13) celebrates with fans after the game against the Mississippi Rebels at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Auburn won 40-29. Mandatory Credit: Matt Bush-USA TODAY Sports /
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With their fifth straight win and just one SEC loss, Auburn football has a pretty clear path to the SEC Championship game, and we break down that path here.

There are technically four teams still alive for the SEC West title that leads to the SEC Championship game in Atlanta.

Auburn has played every SEC West team with the exception of Alabama, and they’ve only suffered one loss, which was to Texas A&M.

They have two SEC East games remaining with Vanderbilt at home this weekend and Georgia on the road the following weekend. The Tigers are expected to win those two games, and then it could come down to the Iron Bowl.

Let’s take a look at the other contenders in the SEC West, and what Auburn football needs to happen in order to get to the SEC Championship game.

Texas A&M

The easiest path for Auburn to get to Atlanta is for Texas A&M to lose one more game, and Auburn win out. That would put Auburn at the top of the SEC West, matching them up with Florida in the SEC Championship game.

The Aggies still have a couple of difficult tests left starting with a road game to Mississippi State this weekend. I know the Bulldogs have been horrible, but anything can happen in an 11 a.m. road game.

Then they get Ole Miss at home on November 12. As we just saw, the Rebels have a prolific offense that can score with anyone. The question is whether or not their defense can get enough stops.

If they get by both Mississippi schools, then their last test will be on Thanksgiving Day against LSU who would be playing on short rest after facing Florida at home the Saturday before.

Auburn fans will be watching that game closely, because if Texas A&M beats all three of those teams then we likely have no shot at the SEC Championship game unless we win a 3-way tie – and I’m not getting into that right now.

LSU

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Auburn has already beaten LSU, but they still play a huge role in this SEC West race. If they were to beat Alabama this weekend, there could be a 4-way tie at the top of the SEC West – again, not even going to try and explain that.

However, they have one of the most difficult stretches of football to end the season playing Alabama, Arkansas, Florida and Texas A&M.

Auburn fans would like to see LSU beat Alabama and Texas A&M, but lose to Florida. That would give Auburn some breathing room with LSU, and open things up for Auburn to win the SEC West.

Alabama

This is the only team in the SEC West who currently controls their own destiny. That picture becomes a lot clearer after they face LSU this weekend.

A loss to LSU wouldn’t knock them out, but it certainly muddies the water. Then they would need Texas A&M to beat LSU in that Thanksgiving game, and then beat Auburn to win the SEC West outright.

Auburn always wants Alabama to lose, but it would actually be better if Auburn plays them when they’re undefeated – as long as Texas A&M losses another game.

That means the SEC West would be riding on the Iron Bowl, and an Auburn win would not only put them in the SEC Championship game, but possibly the College Football Playoff.

Next: Auburn Football Recruiting: Wins Leading to Commits

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