Why you should be thinking about Auburn football in July

Auburn coach Gus Malzahn should feel good about where the program stands entering the 2018 season. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Auburn coach Gus Malzahn should feel good about where the program stands entering the 2018 season. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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Washington QB Jake Browning and RB Myles Gaskin will test the Auburn defense in the season opener in Atlanta. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /

2. That schedule

No need to sugarcoat things: Auburn’s 2018 schedule is tough. Real tough. 

The season begins in Atlanta vs. a Washington team that should begin the season in the Top 10. As always, Georgia and Alabama — remember, they played in the College Football Playoff final last season — sit at the bottom of the schedule. To make matters worse, both games are on the road.

Auburn also travels to play Mississippi State, a team getting a lot of offseason love. Auburn has won 7 of the last 10 meetings against the Bulldogs, but the teams have split their last six matchups. Since 2000, Auburn is 6-3 in Starkville.

The good news: Auburn plays seven homes games, including LSU and Texas A&M.

Here’s a look at the 2018 schedule:

Sept. 1: Washington (Atlanta), 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Sept. 8: Alabama State, 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Sept. 15: LSU, 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)
Sept. 22: Arkansas
Sept. 29: Southern Miss
Oct. 6: at Mississippi State
Oct. 13: Tennessee
Oct. 20: at Ole Miss
Nov. 3: Texas A&M
Nov. 10: at Georgia
Nov. 17: Liberty
Nov. 24: at Alabama
Dec. 1: SEC Championship Game (Atlanta)