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College Football Countdown: 5 Most Crucial Games for Auburn in 2016

By Jake Mastroianni

Nov 21, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Military personnel cheer during the first quarter between the Auburn Tigers and the Idaho Vandals at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Military personnel cheer during the first quarter between the Auburn Tigers and the Idaho Vandals at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 5, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Myles Garrett (15) celebrates his sack against Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Mike Bercovici (2) (not pictured)in the first quarter at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Texas A&M

If Auburn loses to Clemson as many think they will, and then beat Arkansas State, then the Texas A&M game becomes very crucial for the 2016 season.

If the Tigers were to lose this game they would then have to face LSU the following week with a losing record and the possibility of starting the season 1-3, which would most certainly have Gus Malzahn in hot water.

Next: Auburn Football: Special Teams, Defensive Line Best Units in 2016

The Aggies had two quarterbacks transfer to other schools during the offseason, making head coach Kevin Sumlin’s seat even hotter. They did get a transfer of their own in Trevor Knight from Oklahoma.

They return six starters on offense, but lost their top running back from a year ago in Tra Carson who ran for 1,165 yards and 7 touchdowns. Their top two receivers from a year ago return in Christian Kirk (1,009 yards and 7 touchdowns) and Josh Reynolds (907 yards and 5 touchdowns).

The Aggies return seven starters on defense, including defensive end Myles Garrett who had 12.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for a loss.

This is certainly the first swing game for Auburn in the season as it will dictate how the next few weeks will go. If they win they start 1-0 in the SEC and have a little more confidence going into the LSU matchup.

This is a home game that Auburn fans are expecting Gus Malzahn and the Tigers to win, so a loss to Texas A&M could send this season into a tailspin and have Auburn fans with a “here we go again” kind of attitude.

Next: Mississippi State

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