Auburn football: 3 SEC teams Oklahoma and Texas arrivals affect most

SEC program affected by OU/UT arrival #3: Auburn football

Make no mistake: as much of a good thing that these Big 12 defections will be for the financial health of the sport moving forward–especially after a major down year due to the COVID-19 pandemic–these moves could end up backfiring against Auburn football.

A move to the SEC East could give the Tigers more pillow programs on the schedule, but unless they take both games against Georgia and Florida in this hypothetical realignment scenario, their schedule might make it difficult to consistently rank near the top of the sport.

What it could also do is make the SEC West a grueling gauntlet that wears down the Tigers year in and year out, especially considering the recruiting difficulties two more in-conference rivals could create.

I know it seems as though I’m looking for the glass to be half empty, but after one thinks past the financial gains the Plains will see, it’s clear to see that Auburn football’s climb could become very steep no matter how realignment shakes up the SEC.

That could be a good thing. But let’s not be too dense to not consider how bleak things could get over the next several years if the competition becomes insurmountable.