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College Football Countdown: Ranking Difficulty of Each Auburn Opponent

By Jake Mastroianni

Nov 21, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Helicopters perform a flyover prior to the game 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; Helicopters perform a flyover prior to the game between the Auburn Tigers and the Idaho Vandals at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 31, 2015; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson (4) throws a pass against Oklahoma Sooners during the second quarter of the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

1 – Clemson: Level 10

For a while it seemed like Auburn and Clemson were playing every year, but the two teams haven’t met since 2012 now with Clemson winning the last two matchups.

Since then the Clemson program has really taken off with Dabo Swinney at the helm winning at least 10 games the past five seasons, and making it all the way to the National Championship Game a season ago.

Expectations are even higher this year as they have their eyes set on getting back to the championship game and winning it all with Heisman Trophy front-runner DeShaun Watson behind center. The junior quarterback threw for 4,104 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2015, while rushing for 1,105 yards and 12 more scores.

He and seven other starters return to an offense that scored 38.5 points per game last season. Junior running back Wayne Gallman returns after rushing for 1,527 yards and 13 touchdowns last year. They also get their leading receiver back from 2015 in junior Artavis Scott after hauling in 93 passes for 901 yards and 6 touchdowns a season ago.

The bad news is that only four starters return on defense from a unit that gave up just 21.7 points a game last season. However, they rotate a lot of people in on defense so they will have plenty of experience coming back despite just four starters returning.

Senior linebacker Ben Boulware leads those coming back with 82 tackles, 4.5 for a loss, 3.5 sacks, 7 pass break ups and 2 interceptions last season as well as 10 hits on the quarterback. Senior cornerback Cordrea Tankersley also comes back after breaking up nine passes and intercepting five last season.

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

About the only thing going for Auburn in this one is that it’s the first game of the year and anything can happen at home. Plus, Clemson will have no idea what to expect from Auburn on offense. Still, it would be quite the upset if Auburn took down Clemson week one. I would like our chances a little better if this game were played later in the season.

Chances of winning: 15 percent

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