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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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Sep 5, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Panthers quarterback Chad Voytik (16) prepares to throw the ball against the Youngstown State Penguins during the first half at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

9 – Arkansas State: Level 4

After a week one matchup against Clemson to start the season, Auburn will play the team who is favored to win the Sun Belt conference in Arkansas State.

Last year the Red Wolves had a record of 9-4 and where a perfect 8-0 in conference play. Their only regular season losses came against USC, Missouri and Toledo. They covered the spread against Missouri and only lost by seven on the road.

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Auburn football last faced them in 2013 when the Tigers beat them 38-9. The Red Wolves went on to win eight games that season. In fact, they haven’t had a losing season since 2010 when they only won four games – Auburn beat them 52-26 that year.

Current Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn coached Arkansas State to a nine win season in 2012 when they averaged 34.9 points per game. They surpassed those numbers in 2015 by scoring 40 points per game.

However, they lose their starting running back, quarterback and receiver from a season ago. They do get an experienced transfer in quarterback Chad Voytik who comes over from Pittsburgh for his senior season, but I would still expect this offense to be a little less potent in 2016.

The defense returns seven starters, but they gave up 30.2 points a game last year and have given up over 30 points a game the past two seasons.

We’ll know a lot more about Arkansas State after their week one matchup against a very good Toledo team that beat them 37-7 last year.

While I do expect this to be a close game for Auburn football, it’s one they should still easily win if they play to their level. They’ll be coming off a difficult Clemson game and preparing for their first SEC game in Texas A&M, but even if they don’t play their best game they should win.

Chances of winning: 78 percent.

Next: Mississippi State

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