2015 Auburn Football Schedule: Early Predictions

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Dec 29, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Kyle Allen (10) carries the ball against West Virginia Mountaineers linebacker Shaq Petteway (36) during the game in the 2014 Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Texas A&M Aggies beat West Virginia Mountaineers 45 – 37. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

  • Returning Starters, Offense: 8
  • Returning Starters, Defense: 7
  • Points For: 35.2 PPG (28th nationally)
  • Passing: 305.5 YPG (12th nationally)
  • Rushing: 149.9 YPG (84th nationally)
  • Points Against: 28.1 PPG (77th nationally)

What a strange season for Texas A&M. The Aggies opened with a dominant performance on the road in the 2014 opener against a top ten South Carolina team, which led to a 5-0 start, a No. 6 ranking in the AP Top 25, and a quarterback that became a household name and Heisman Trophy contender overnight.

Then, A&M lost three games in a row to Mississippi State (48-31), Ole Miss (35-20) and Alabama (59-0), each worse than the one before it. When the team emerged following a bye week, Kenny Hill – the SEC’s leading passer at the time – had not only been replaced by Kyle Allen, but had also been suspended for two games.

Allen led the Aggies to three wins in five tries, including a 41-38 upset of No. 3 Auburn and Hill has since left the program.

Having survived a rebuilding year in College Station, head coach Kevin Sumlin has a strong core of offensive playmakers and an improving defense thanks to a series of highly touted recruiting classes. He also lured defensive coordinator John Chavis from LSU.

Texas A&M will be in the mix to win the SEC West, and they are capable of beating any team on their schedule. But, right now, it’s tough to see them beating Auburn two years in a row.

Next: Game 10: vs. Georgia