Auburn football: MA reveals Tigers’ most difficult test in 2022

Auburn football, like always, has one of the toughest schedules in not just the SEC, but the entire nation in 2022.

They do have the benefit of playing their first five games at home, but they’ll be the only team to travel to both Tuscaloosa and Athens this season since Mississippi State will be hosting Georgia this November.

It’ll be another grueling gauntlet for the Tigers, but when does the 2022 Auburn football schedule see its toughest test?

According to Bennett Durando of the Montgomery Advertiser, it will be the final game on the calendar, the Iron Bowl, and not the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry matchup against the defending national champions. He shared as much in his rankings of AU’s 2022 opponents:

"1. Alabama (away)Lost the title, but still the best. Heisman winner Bryce Young is back. Edge Will Anderson Jr. is back, spearheading what could be coach Nick Saban’s greatest defensive front. Oh, and the average score of the last five Iron Bowls in Tuscaloosa? Alabama 45.6, Auburn 18."

As he points out for Georgia, the NFL Draft’s purge of the Bulldogs roster puts them at the No. 2 spot:

"2. Georgia (away)The national champions are losing 15 players to the NFL Draft, including eight from the historic 2021 defense. But coach Kirby Smart’s recruiting machine motors on. The Bulldogs bring in the No. 3 class, and they have a core of returning stars on offense (tight end Brock Bowers) and defense (defensive lineman Jalen Carter)."

Auburn football faces a make-or-break season for the Bryan Harsin era

The expectations for Year 2 of the Bryan Harsin era are dangerously low, with oddsmakers putting their over/under win total at 5.5. If the Tigers were to fail to qualify for bowl season, Harsin’s days on the Plains could be numbered.

Let’s hope AU can take advantage of its home-heavy schedule, or there will be endless drama next offseason behind the scenes.