2015 Auburn Football Schedule: Early Predictions

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Nov 8, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Idaho Vandals quarterback Chad Chalich (11) passes during the third quarter against the San Diego State Aztecs at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

  • Returning Starters, Offense: 6
  • Returning Starters, Defense: 7
  • Points For: 25 PPG (91st nationally)
  • Passing: 275.5 YPG (31st nationally)
  • Rushing: 141.9 YPG (96th nationally)
  • Points Against: 37.3 PPG (114th nationally)

Ah, yes. The annual Cupcake Weekend game in which Auburn (and most of the SEC) plays a non-conference game against either an FCS opponent or member of the Sun Belt Conference in order to pad stats, earn an easy victory and rest some starters for the rivalry games to follow.

The cupcake on the 2015 Auburn football schedule is Idaho – one of the worst FBS programs in the country. No longer a nomadic independent forced to travel nearly every weekend, the Vandals were 1-10 last season in the Sun Belt with their only victory a 29-17 conference win over New Mexico State.

Idaho managed to win only one game in 2014 against a schedule that didn’t feature a single Power 5 opponent (their season opener against Florida was cancelled following the opening kickoff) and with losses to non-conference opponents like Western Michigan and Ohio.

On the bright side, the Vandals showed some competency throwing the football with 275.5 yards per game and have a few offensive weapons returning including quarterback Matt Linehan and leading rusher Elijhaa Penny – a 6-foot-2, 254-pound running back.

Next: Game 12: vs. Alabama