Auburn football: USA Today also projecting step back in 2021

While many seem to be quite optimistic about Bryan Harsin’s first season on the Plains with Auburn football, a lot of people won’t let go of the idea that the Tigers must get worse before they can get better. Whether the blame is assigned to the process of a coaching change or the Tigers’ recruiting struggles over the past few years, publications have been projecting less-than-great final rankings for the Tigers in the conference.

A 247Sports poll predicted Auburn football to finish fifth in the SEC West, while Jake Crain of The JBoy Show suggests the Tigers could be the fourth-best team behind Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M. USA Today has less faith in the Tigers and expects Auburn to finish fifth in the SEC West, falling behind Ole Miss.

Georgia is expected to triumph over Florida in the SEC East to face Alabama for the SEC Championship, which of course the Tide is predicted to win. But is everyone underestimating Bryan Harsin’s first-year team?

"EAST DIVISION1. Georgia2. Florida3. Missouri4. Kentucky5. Tennessee6. South Carolina7. VanderbiltWEST DIVISION1. Alabama2. Texas A&M3. LSU4. Ole Miss5. Auburn6. Arkansas7. Mississippi State"

Chris Doering of ESPN seems to think so, at least. According to Doering, Harsin is inheriting a team full of experienced returners and hired greats like Derek Mason and Mike Bobo to his coaching staff. Harsin has won over the team, the fans, and seems to be powering Auburn football forward towards a successful season, even if it is just year one.

Both Texas A&M and LSU had top 10 recruiting classes in 2021, and the Tigers still have questions to answer in certain positions, like at wide receiver and the O-line. Auburn football no doubt has one of the most difficult schedules in 2021, but if Bryan Harsin can continue to look to the transfer portal to fill in the gaps on the roster there’s no reason why the Tigers can’t surprise everyone this fall.