Auburn Football: 8 Do or Die Games for the Tigers in 2012

What makes college football unique is that every game matters. One loss on the record could keep any team from making it into the national title game. Even with a must-win mentality present weekly, there are eight games that stick out as do-or-die games for the Tigers in 2012. 

Auburn has a favorable schedule this season, with the most difficult games coming at home—save the Alabama game. 

That’s what makes the do-or-die games so appealing for the Tigers. With the majority of the big-ticket games coming at home, the Tigers should have a slight advantage. Home field won’t be everything, however, as some very talented teams visit Jordan-Hare this season.

With the projections and predictions beginning to hit the newsstands, there is no better time than now to look at the Tigers' do-or-die games for the 2012 season.

Vs. Clemson: 9/1/12

This is the first do-or-die game of the season for Auburn. 

The Tigers walk into the first game with a must-win scenario on their backs. This will be a primetime game at a neutral site and will draw a ton of attention from the nation. 

Auburn was smashed by Clemson last year, losing to the Tigers from the Carolinas for the first time in over 50 years. That can’t happen again this season if Auburn wants to make waves on the national stage. 

This game will hold the key to the Tigers' season. Can Auburn survive a loss? The obvious answer is yes. Auburn desperately needs to get the ball rolling early, but a loss wouldn’t cripple the season. 

@ Mississippi State: 9/8/12

The first SEC game of the season is always a tough and grueling contest. There is no preparation for game day against a conference foe.

The Tigers take their first real road trip of the season as they travel to Starkville for their second game. Auburn will face an extremely hostile crowd full of cowbells, so mental preparation will need to be at an all-time high.

The Tigers and Bulldogs always play a tight game that is full of big hits and heavy with intensity. I would expect this game to be much of the same this year.

Auburn will need this win more than any other in the 2012 season. The Tigers can’t lose their first conference game, much less one inside the Western Division. 

Vs. LSU: 9/22/12

Auburn will head into the fourth week of the season facing off against the best team on their schedule. LSU returns a host of defensive and offensive players this season, and the Tigers from LSU look to be the favorite in the Western Division of the conference.

Auburn gets the benefit of hosting LSU this year, but this will be an early test for a young offense and defense that will be settling into their new roles in the Brian VanGorder system.

Auburn was blown out by LSU a year ago on the road, so getting a bit of redemption may be on the minds of the Tigers from the Plains. 

Auburn will need to play methodical on offense and aggressive on defense. If Auburn wants to be a contender for the conference this year, the Tigers will have to prove it in this game.

Vs. Arkansas: 10/6/12

Despite the turmoil that the Razorbacks program is presumably in currently, Arkansas is always a stomach-churning experience for Auburn fans.

The Razorbacks are very talented, and Tyler Wilson was quite comfortable in his last appearance in Jordan-Hare. 

Auburn has to be ready for this game as much mentality as physically. The Tigers will be coming off of their one and only bye week of the season. This game will also lead the month of October, the most crucial month of the Tigers' season in 2012.

If Auburn can handle Arkansas in this game, the Tigers should finish the season well. 

@ Vanderbilt: 10/20/12

Auburn has a very favorable schedule for 2012, but the Tigers do face one back-to-back road stretch. It starts with Ole Miss, but finishes with Vanderbilt.

Ole Miss is not likely to be a very strong team this season, but Vanderbilt is set up to impress. The Commodores return one of the best running backs in the conference, and have an up-and-coming star in head coach James Franklin.

This will be the third game in the month of October and the second consecutive road contest for the Tigers. Auburn will need to hold its composure and play hard. This will not be an easy win for the Tigers.

This game will be one of the toughest for the Tigers this season. Vanderbilt will be trying to make a mark by mid-season and Auburn will be trying to keep its title hopes alive.

Vs. Texas A&M: 10/27/12

The Texas A&M Aggies will visit Auburn this season launching a new era of SEC football. This game will conclude a very treacherous October for the Tigers.

Auburn will head into this game with a must-win scenario stamped on the date. This is the final Western Division game of the season until the Tigers travel to Alabama. It will also be the first conference game in history against the Aggies.

Not only will this game impact the 2012 SEC championship hunt, but it will serve as a marker in college football history. This will be the one game in this series that is guaranteed to never be forgotten.

The Aggies welcome new pass-happy head coach Kevin Sumlin to the sidelines this year. It will be interesting to watch the matchup between the Tigers and the Aggies in the passing game. Auburn’s secondary looks to be a strength, but the Aggies will put that theory to the test.

Vs. Georgia: 10/10/12

Georgia embarrassed the Tigers between the hedges last season. Auburn can’t stand another loss that big in this rivalry.

Auburn will see this game as one of the major do-or-die games for 2012. The Bulldogs return a major threat at quarterback in Aaron Murray, and a host of talented, proven running backs.

Auburn will have its defense put to the test and will rely on a steady ground-pounding offense to push for a victory. This will be a tough, low-scoring affair, but Auburn will have the home-crowd edge.

This is Auburn’s final home game of the season. It will be a crucial game that will gauge the Tigers' success in 2012. 

@ Alabama: 11/24/12

This game could go without explanation as to why it is a do-or-die game for the Tigers in 2012. 

The Tigers were embarrassed last season by their performance in Jordan-Hare and are looking to make a statement in the coming season. If the season plays out well for both Auburn and Alabama, this game could decide the SEC Western Division winner. 

Auburn will be a much more potent team when the final game of the season rolls around. Traveling to Tuscaloosa will be tough, but Auburn has a history of playing well in Bryant-Denny. 

Follow @ShugJordanPkwy