Auburn football: Ranking every SEC West team’s Week One matchup

#6. Rice at Arkansas football

Like Mississippi State, Arkansas could find themselves on the losing end more than the winning end during the upcoming 2021 schedule. KJ Jefferson gives the team hope under center, but the Hogs’ porous defense puts them behind the 8-ball in a reloaded SEC West.

Their Week One opponent, Rice, was robbed of anything resembling a full 2020 season, playing just five games total. That they matched their 2018 win total and somehow surpassed their 2017 win total shows that there were steps forward for the Owls, giving this matchup a slight edge over the Bulldog bowl in Starkville.

#5. Akron at Auburn football

While September 4th will be magical–barring the borderline crisis that would occur should COVID-19 somehow cancel the return of the pomp and pageantry of the Plains–it won’t be because Akron’s visit to Jordan-Hare Stadium to take on Auburn football produced “Kick-six” like dramatics.

The Tigers are a -36.5 betting favorite. This game shouldn’t be close. Most of the season will feature competitive matchups for Auburn football, but this won’t be one of them.

#4. Kent State at Texas A&M football

Kyle Field could play host to a slaughter, but Kent State could also represent what #MACtion is all about in a Week One contest in which most are not expecting much of them.

3-1 a season ago, the Golden Flashes put up over 600 yards per game and scored over 60 points two of their four contests in 2020. That could lead to a fun matchup Week One that is begging you to hammer the over.