Auburn Football Schedule 2012: Power Ranking the Tigers' Opponents

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As spring football is starting to take place, that means that college football is right around the corner. Well, not exactly. It's still six months away, but it will be here before you know it. That means that it's time to start preparing for the regular season and look over the schedule that each team has been given.

This time it's the Auburn Tigers, and they have been given a very tough schedule. When you're in the SEC, you are given very little breaks. But this is just brutal compared to some of the other teams in the conference. Auburn does return 18 starters, and they will need every one of those players to step up in order to have a successful season.

Here are a ranking of the Tigers' opponents.

12. Alabama A&M

Does it really require an explanation as to why the Bulldogs are in the spot? They aren't even a Division-I program, and they are traveling to Auburn to play the Tigers.

The season hasn't even started yet, and Auburn already has a victory.  

11. New Mexico State

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The Aggies only won four games last season in the WAC and had one of the worst defenses in the entire country.

These two teams have only played twice, and the combined point differential is 76.

I think it's safe to say that New Mexico State is one of the worst opponents this season that Auburn will play.

10. Louisiana-Monroe

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The Warhawks are another cupcake team that's in the Sun Belt Conference. They only won four games last season.

These two programs have met a total of eight times, and only one game was decided by 20 or less points. And yes, Auburn won that game as well.

9. Ole Miss

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Auburn has won eight of their last nine meetings against the Rebels in Mississippi. With the coaching changes and Auburn returning the majority of their roster, does anyone think Ole Miss has a chance in this game.

No? Me neither.

8. Vanderbilt

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Vanderbilt was actually a surprise team last year, mainly because of their defense. But when you add the fact that the Commodores have no offense, that they lost six starters on defense and have lost 13 of the last 14 meetings against Auburn, this game doesn't seem like much of a threat.

7. Mississippi State

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Yeah, I know Mississippi State lost their starting quarterback and running back. I also know that Auburn has won 10 of the last 11 meetings against the Bulldogs. But this game is taking place in Starkville, and those cowbells will be going off the entire game.

6. Texas A&M

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These teams have only met twice, and the Aggies have won both.

Texas A&M is a good team, and this matchup may have been ranked higher if it was being played in College Station. Regardless, still a difficult game for the Tigers.

5. Georgia

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Georgia is returning 15 starters from a year ago and holds a physiological edge over the Tigers considering they've won five of the last six meetings.

Auburn will have the home-field advantage, but the Bulldogs have an SEC title and a possible national championship on their mind. 

4. Clemson

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Clemson returns 14 starters, and the game is being played on a neutral field, on a fast track in the Georgia Dome.

Can Auburn keep up with the explosive offense that Clemson has? This will be a huge early test for this young Auburn team in Week 1.

3. LSU

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Remember last season when LSU won by 35 points? You can't possibly let them get away with that, can you?

LSU is still an extremely talented team, but questions at linebacker and the quarterback position may possibly give Auburn a chance in this one.

With that said, Auburn has still lost five of the last seven in this meeting.

2. Arkansas

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Arkansas won last year's meeting by 24 points, and that was with running back Knile Davis on the sidelines.

The Razorbacks will be even better than they were last season, which isn't good news if you're a Tigers fan.

1. Alabama

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Was there any question that Alabama would be No.1?

This is one of the biggest rivalries in all of college football, and the Tigers will have a shot to knock of the defending national champions. It won't be easy, but with questions on the defensive side of the ball for the Crimson Tide, who knows.

Randy Chambers is a B/R featured columnist that covers college football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail].