This time Saturday you’ll either be gearing up for your tailgate outside Mercedes-Benz Stadium or wondering you you can eat up the next few hours until the Auburn football team kicks off the season against Washington.
Auburn-Washington is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday. It’s the only game opening weekend that features two teams inside the top 10 of the AP Top 25 poll. The Huskies are ranked No. 6 and the Tigers are No. 9.
We’ve provided you with our staff picks for the game. You’ve probably seen a few other picks here and there this week, too.
The one thing you won’t find is a consensus on which team leaves Atlanta with a 1-0 record. It’s a tough call. The Tigers are a 2-point favorite, but by most accounts, the odds could lean between Auburn favored by 2 or Washington by 2. It’s that close.
So we pored over the internet looking for more Auburn-Washington picks. Some predicted scores, others just the winner. We didn’t find anyone picking a winner by more than seven points.
“Unlike their last trip to Atlanta, when they faced top-ranked Alabama, the Huskies don’t have to be perfect Saturday in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. They have to play a clean game, sure, but they’re strong enough and deep enough across the board to go toe-to-toe with a top SEC team.”
Prediction: Washington 20-17.
“We anticipate this to be the most exciting game of the weekend with a last-minute finish. It could go either way, but we’re going with the team that’s closer to home in Atlanta.”
Prediction: Auburn 31-27
“The Huskies will run with more consistency, and Browning will make a few critical throws in the fourth quarter.”
Predicted winner: Washington
“Auburn will be comfortable in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and its defense will clamp down on the Huskies offense. I’ll take Auburn in a defensive struggle.”
Predicted winner: Auburn
Ralph Russo, AP College Football
“After 1-8 bowl season the Pac-12 can really use this one.”
Prediction: Auburn 27-20
“… the Tigers have one of the least experienced offensive lines in the country. That’s something I expect Washington and its defense to be able to take advantage of.”
Prediction: Washington 31-27
“If I need to win one game, I’m taking Chris Petersen as my coach over Gus Malzahn. My power rankings put Washington at No. 5 and Auburn at No. 10 this preseason.”
Prediction: Washington 24-21
More Auburn-Washington predictions
ESPN: 16 ESPN staff members picked the winner of the Auburn-Washington matchup and the Huskies had a 10-6 advantage. The people selecting the Tigers to win: Edward Aschoff, David Hale, Chris Low, Ryan McGee, Adam Rittenberg and Alex Scarborough.
USA Today Sports: The six staff members are split on the winner of this game. George Schroeder, Erick Smith and Eddie Timanus sided with Auburn.
The final word
It feels like more people are leaning toward Washington winning this Week 1 mega-matchup.
Why?
It’s likely a combination of things. Washington coach Chris Petersen is one of the best in the game. Auburn has struggled offensively in season openers and the Huskies return nine starters off one of the nation’s best defenses. The Huskies have RB Myles Gaskin, who has gained at least 1,300 yards rushing in each of his first three seasons at UW. Auburn lost its final two games of last season in Atlanta — the SEC Championship Game to Georgia and Peach Bowl to UCF. Will its familiarity with Mercedes-Benz Stadium be a plus or minus?
We’ll find out soon enough.