SEC Football Power Rankings After Week 3: Auburn Trending Down

Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight (8) speaks with Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn after the game at Jordan Hare Stadium. Texas A&M defeated Aubrn 29-16. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Trevor Knight (8) speaks with Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn after the game at Jordan Hare Stadium. Texas A&M defeated Aubrn 29-16. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
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Sep 17, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Damian Williams (11) celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi State 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Damian Williams (11) celebrates after a touchdown during the fourth quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. LSU defeated Mississippi State 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

10 – Mississippi State – 1-2 – Even

It looked like the Bulldogs were in for a beat down against LSU Saturday as they trailed 23-3 at halftime.

However, they fought back into the game and had a chance to win at the end. They ultimately lost by just three points, but the team now has hope going forward that they can play with the big boys.

They’re about to go through a stretch of games where they really need to pick up some wins.

Mississippi State travels to play UMASS this weekend, then gets Auburn at home after a bye week, then they’ll have a tough game at BYU, followed by another road game to Kentucky, and finally they’ll play Samford at home.

If they want to make a bowl game this year they really need to win all five of those games. At the minimum, they have to come out with four wins in that stretch.

They end the season against four ranked SEC teams, but there’s a good chance two of those teams aren’t ranked by then.

I don’t think Dan Mullen’s boys are just going to lay down, they’ll give you some competitive games this season.

Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn walks off the field with his team after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Jordan Hare Stadium. Texas A&M defeated Aubrn 29-16. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn walks off the field with his team after the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Jordan Hare Stadium. Texas A&M defeated Aubrn 29-16. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

9 – Auburn – 1-2 – Down 2

You’ve probably heard me talk enough about how disappointed I am in Gus Malzahn and Auburn, but I’ll say it again.

After a great performance on offense against Arkansas State, Malzahn went back to his play-calling from the Clemson game and the offense sputtered against Texas A&M.

The defense played well for as long as they could, but gave up a late touchdown when they were tired to make the score look worse than it was.

On the flip side, the Auburn offense scored a late touchdown to make the score look closer than it really was.

After my confidence was so high in Auburn football last week, I’m not sure where the Tigers go from here.

A loss to LSU this weekend could send the team into a tail spin.

Next: Arkansas and Georgia