There is a lot of pressure on head coach Hugh Freeze heading into his third year with Auburn football. So far, he has ended two seasons on the Plains with losing records, and with increased talent and a new quarterback, fans are expecting more this year.
The Tigers' schedule looks a little different this year with the season opener taking place on a Friday night. Rather than starting the year with a game against a smaller school, it will be Auburn vs. Baylor in a primetime matchup to kick off the football season, and, according to Paul Finebaum, it's the most important game they will play this year.
“The reason why I think it’s so important is that if Auburn loses that game, that’s one that most people believe they should win. Then, they’re suddenly behind the curtain where every swing game becomes magnified. I think, for that reason, it is the most important game on the schedule,” Finebaum said. “That doesn’t mean other games won’t matter. Of course they will. The Alabama game at the end of the year is a game you’ll hear a lot of people say Auburn has a chance to win, whatever that means.”
“So, I’m really focused on that game. At the moment, I think Auburn will win. But if they don’t, then the season could really, legitimately get off the rails.”
Freeze has said in the past that he would rather start things off with a big game to avoid false fan expectations, but he could be in even more trouble if fans see a loss to start the season.
The Tigers and the Bears will kick off at 7:00 p.m. central time on August 29.