How many games will Auburn lose this year? Paul Finebaum weighs in
By Dave Holcomb
Published:
History somewhat repeated itself Saturday, as LSU erased a double-digit deficit again to beat Auburn.
It was a particularly heart-breaking result for Auburn, who came into the season with championship aspirations and still has a very difficult schedule ahead. Auburn will receive a chance to regroup against Arkansas and then Southern Miss the next two weeks, but on Oct. 6, they visit No. 14 Mississippi State.
Then in November, Auburn will face three more ranked opponents, including both of last year’s championship game participants, Alabama and Georgia, on the road.
With such a tough slate, Auburn’s over/under loss total is set at a generous 3.5, and ESPN personality Paul Finebaum still isn’t sure the Tigers will finish under that. During his weekly Monday morning appearance on Birmingham-based radio station WJOX 94.5 FM’s The Roundtable, Finebaum offered up these thoughts on Auburn’s upcoming slate.
“I might go over, because I don’t think I see wins at any of those three places,” Finebaum said. “They got one that was debatable (prior to the season debate) — that was Washington. They let one get away (against LSU). … They were fortunate to beat Washington, and they just threw this game away.
“I still don’t know where to go on LSU. I mean, I know what the stats tell me. They’ve beaten two top teams. They’re resilient. And Auburn is good. I think that’s why the voters kept them (Auburn) in the top 10, but the road ahead is very difficult. I certainly don’t see them beating Georgia or Alabama. I think Mississippi State is to be determined. After that, it’s hard to find too many other challenges in the SEC other than maybe Texas A&M.”
Texas A&M began the season unranked but moved into the rankings for the first time after Week 3.
Auburn opened the season with a 21-16 victory against then No. 6 Washington. The Tigers own a 2-1 record.
Even though the playoff committee will certainly take into account their very difficult schedule, they have zero margin of error.
Paul @Finebaum joins the show to recap AU/LSU, Bama/Ole Miss and more! Courtesy of @Craneworks1987 https://t.co/tN7YVbsbnp
— WJOX 94.5 FM (@WJOX945) September 17, 2018
Dave covers SEC football for Saturday Down South.
