Auburn Football: 2015 Game-by-Game Schedule Predictions

The 2015 Auburn football season is almost upon the Plains as head coach Gus Malzahn's Tigers look to erase the disappointing memories of last year's 8-5 record.

Auburn is a mixed bag of established talent, exciting potential and alarming areas—and one can find each of those on both sides of the ball.

Jeremy Johnson looks to be the real deal at quarterback alongside star receiver Duke Williams, a veteran offensive line and a star-studded backfield. But how the new starters adjust to the spotlight remains to be seen.

New coordinator Will Muschamp has brought a lot of promise to the Auburn defense, which is boosted by the return of pass-rushing specialist Carl Lawson, the linebacker duo of Cassanova McKinzy and Kris Frost and several starters in the secondary. However, depth is a huge issue for those defensive backs, who have given up big plays left and right since Malzahn took over.

Auburn has been a tough team to read for many media outlets this offseason, with predictions ranging from SEC champion and national title contender to another middle-of-the-road finish in the SEC. Here are my game-by-game predictions for what should be a must-see season of Auburn football.

Sept. 5 vs. Louisville (in Atlanta)

Chuck Burton/Associated Press

For the first time since 2012, Auburn will open its season in the Georgia Dome at the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. But instead of Clemson, the Tigers pick up another interesting opponent from the ACC's Atlantic Division—Louisville.

Louisville returns only nine starters this season after putting the second-most players of any school into the 2015 NFL draft. All three of the quarterbacks who attempted passes last season for Louisville—Will Gardner, Reggie Bonnafon and Kyle Bolin—are in the hunt for the starting job in what has been one of the biggest quarterback battles in the entire country. The Cardinals return a decent running back in Brandon Radcliff but must replace most of their offensive line and receiving corps.

The defense suffered even bigger losses than the offense, but former Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham has a few big-impact transfers who can line up next to veteran players such as Sheldon Rankins and James Burgess. Shaq Wiggins and Josh Harvey-Clemons are eligible in the secondary this season, and the Cardinals added former TCU standout Devonte Fields as a pass-rushing outside linebacker.

Louisville has plenty of question marks right now, but there's a lot of potential in this reloading team. While head coach Bobby Petrino will have some offensive tricks up his sleeve, this is one of the few teams Auburn can claim an experience edge over this season. The Tigers take this by a couple of scores.

Predicted Record: 1-0 (0-0 SEC)

Sept. 12 vs. Jacksonville State

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Even though Jacksonville State is an FCS opponent, the Gamecocks won't be total pushovers. They won 10 games last year and will be a top-10 outfit in their subdivision this season.

According to Brandon Marcello of AL.com, Jacksonville State returns nine starters on an offense that ran for 285.3 yards per game last season. While the Gamecocks only put up seven points against Michigan State—their only FBS opponent of 2014—the offense will challenge the toughness of Muschamp's defense early in the season.

On the defensive side of the ball, look for a blast from the past in Devaunte Sigler. The former Auburn Tiger, who was dismissed early in Malzahn's tenure, landed at Jacksonville State and was the Ohio Valley Conference's defensive player of the year for 2015.

Jacksonville State's offense might keep things interesting early, but the only thing notable about this contest will be that it's the first in the Gigantic Scoreboard Era at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

Predicted Record: 2-0 (0-0 SEC)

Sept. 19 at LSU

Last year's Tiger Bowl was a shocker, as Auburn completely torched LSU, 45-7—the first big sign of what would turn out to be a down season in Baton Rouge. Now the Bayou Bengals will look for revenge inside the confines of Death Valley.

LSU's offense is an enigma right now. The quarterback situation was particularly messy in last season's meeting with Auburn, when now-sophomore Brandon Harris was virtually sacrificed to the hosts in the blowout. If LSU can find some sort of consistency with either Harris or Anthony Jennings, the offense could be dangerous with some weapons in superstar running back Leonard Fournette and several young receivers.

The defense will be going through a transition to new coordinator Kevin Steele. LSU once again has plenty of talent in its starting ranks, but depth will be a real concern. What was a weak defensive line last season lacks experience in its reserves, and the secondary will most likely be without safety Jalen Mills at this time in September.

Another aspect in Auburn's favor for this matchup is that the game will take place in the afternoon instead of the traditional electric night atmosphere of Tiger Stadium—where Auburn hasn't won since 2000. If Auburn can contain Fournette, the losing streak in Baton Rouge looks destined to end this year.

Predicted Record: 3-0 (1-0 SEC)

Sept. 26 vs. Mississippi State

Mississippi State is coming off one of its biggest years in school history—one in which it knocked off Auburn in order to move to No. 1 in the country—but the experts are down on the Bulldogs this season. 

The offensive firepower in Starkville, though, should make people hesitate before penciling Mississippi State as a sure win for Auburn. Senior quarterback Dak Prescott had a monster day of dual-threat action against Auburn last year and is back for the upcoming season along with favorite target De'Runnya Wilson. MSU must replace three offensive linemen and top running back Josh Robinson, but the top tandem is still intact.

The Bulldogs lost eight starters and a coordinator over the offseason, and they're missing the experience that led them to such a successful season in 2014. Beniquez Brown will be a force at linebacker again for a rebuilding defense. Shutdown corner Taveze Calhoun could cause real matchup problems for Auburn's wide receivers, especially if the Tigers are still searching for a clear No. 2 or 3 receiver behind Duke Williams.

Prescott and Wilson should be a stiff test for an Auburn secondary that needs big improvement this season. Like the last few games in this series, this one could come down to the final few drives if Auburn isn't careful at home.

Predicted Record: 4-0 (2-0 SEC)

Oct. 3 vs. San Jose State

Butch Dill/Associated Press

San Jose State visits Auburn for the second straight season, but it will bring someone familiar to the Plains this time—former offensive coordinator Al Borges.

The Spartans hit the Tigers for some big plays through the air last season, and Borges will try to draw up some more ways to use the Tyler tandem. Tyler Ervin and Tyler Winston will be threats on the ground and through the air for an offense that brings back 10 starters from a season ago.

The defense wasn't particularly bad for the 3-9 Spartans last season, but it let them down in some big spots. Teams had a tendency to stack scoring drives against San Jose State, much like Auburn did in the second quarter in last year's meeting. The rush defense ranked No. 119 nationally last year, mostly due to 300-plus-yard performances by Minnesota, Auburn, Navy, San Diego State and Utah State.

San Jose State won't be as intimidated stepping into Jordan-Hare Stadium this time around. The offense will try to keep Auburn off-balance after a pair of SEC tests, and there's only one way to go for the defense. The Tigers avoid the slow start and put these Spartans away early.

Predicted Record: 5-0 (2-0 SEC)

Oct. 15 at Kentucky

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After an off week, Auburn travels to Kentucky for a Thursday night road test. Lexington wasn't particularly kind to Auburn in its last visit—Cam Newton and the 2010 champions needed a comeback and a last-second field goal to win—and some weeknight weirdness might creep up again.

"It's not a lot of fun to go on the road for a Thursday game," Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops told James Crepea of AL.com at SEC media days. "It's just weird. You travel on a Wednesday, and you get to the hotel, and there's soap operas on or something instead of football."

Kentucky has 14 starters returning this season and the chance to make it to a bowl game for the first time since that 2010 season. The Wildcats have experience at every key position on offense and didn't have to replace much outside of the defensive ends on the opposite side of the ball. And the home crowd will undoubtedly be ready to see if Stoops can get his first signature win at UK.

The talent gap between Auburn and Kentucky is sizable, but experience and home-field advantage will probably make this one closer than most fans expect. Auburn gets the hard-fought win after facing a tough challenge from a fired-up Kentucky team.

Predicted Record: 6-0 (3-0 SEC)

Oct. 24 at Arkansas

The Arkansas trip is probably the toughest road game on the schedule for Auburn this season. Head coach Bret Bielema has an experienced and successful offense on his hands in Fayetteville, and the defense has some impressive pieces.

Bielema—a vocal opponent of Malzahn's hurry-up, no-huddle offense—will stick with the "low and slow" method of moving the ball against Auburn. A powerful offensive line will look to impose its will on Auburn and pave the way for stud running back Alex Collins, while senior quarterback Brandon Allen is armed with a couple of established passing targets in the play-action game.

Arkansas replaces five starters on defense, and the only true hole is at linebacker, where Brooks Ellis is the only player with much game experience. Even with a few NFL talents last season, Arkansas struggled mightily with spread offenses—even during its great run at the end of the year. Mississippi State and Missouri each put up more than 400 yards in their victories over the Hogs.

The Razorbacks offense won't be quite as scary as it was when senior running back Jonathan Williams was healthy, and the defense needs to prove it can shut down the offenses that Bielema loves to hate. Don't get me wrong, this will be a tough game, but Auburn matches up better with Arkansas than some other SEC West opponents do.

Predicted Record: 7-0 (4-0 SEC)

Oct. 31 vs. Ole Miss

Halloween will be a night of possible revenge for Ole Miss as it heads into Jordan-Hare Stadium one season after the devastating last-minute loss to Auburn in Oxford.

The biggest question facing Ole Miss on offense is the starting quarterback job. Bo Wallace's successor—whether it's Chad Kelly, Ryan Buchanan or DeVante Kincade—will have several games of starting experience heading into the Plains, and he'll also have a great collection of offensive talent. Laquon Treadwell, Auburn native Cody Core, Evan Engram, Quincy Adeboyejo, Jaylen Walton and Jordan Wilkins are all established playmakers who will line up next to a veteran-laden front five.

The nation's No. 1 scoring defense has to replace a couple of elite talents in the secondary, but most of the front seven returns for the 2015 season. Robert Nkemdiche and C.J. Johnson make for a devastating defensive spin, while Tony Conner will continue to be the do-it-all defensive back for these "Land Sharks."

Ole Miss will be motivated, balanced and experienced heading into this rematch at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn's defense and new starters on offense will be seasoned, and I give the slightest of margins toward the Tigers with the home-field advantage. This game could be a back-and-forth classic.

Predicted Record: 8-0 (5-0 SEC)

Nov. 7 at Texas A&M

After back-to-back tough SEC West matchups, Auburn must head to College Station and face a Texas A&M team that beat the Tigers on the Plains last season.

Kyle Allen was excellent in that victory for the Aggies, and he'll have most of his talented receivers back for the 2015 season. Josh Reynolds, Speedy Noil, Ricky Seals-Jones and Edward Pope are already a dangerous collection of talent, and the Aggies will add 5-star receiver Christian Kirk into the mix. Offensive line coach and run-game coordinator Dave Christensen was hired from Utah to help give the A&M offense more balance, so look for a bigger emphasis on the rushing attack—that has experience, too.

Defensively, Texas A&M is in the same boat as Auburn. The Aggies have picked up blue-chip talent on that side of the ball, and they went out and hired an elite defensive mind—in this case, former LSU assistant John Chavis. The defensive line is stacked, and the secondary should show improvement this season under a new coaching regime. Texas A&M will need linebackers to step up between now and this point in the season.

Auburn's thin secondary against one of the best wide receiving corps in the country should be a frightening matchup for the visitors. Until the secondary proves it can limit big plays in the passing game, teams such as Texas A&M will give Auburn a ton of fits. I can see the hosts winning a close shootout here.

Predicted Record: 8-1 (5-1 SEC)

Nov. 14 vs. Georgia

The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry is tied once again after Auburn's train wreck of a performance in Athens last season. But the game returns to the Plains this year for the first time since Ricardo Louis' miracle catch.

Georgia's offense will be defined by Nick Chubb, who ran for 144 yards and two touchdowns last season against Auburn, and an experienced offensive line which has paved the way for great rushing success recently. The passing attack is a different story, as the Bulldogs must replace their quarterback and top two receivers from last season.

On defense, the Bulldogs will be able to generate pressure off the edges, and they feature one of the most experienced secondaries the Tigers will face all season. Georgia needs improvement in a big way from its rushing defense, which allowed 5.77 yards per carry in their three losses last season. To make things even more challenging, Georgia has to replace both interior linemen and linebackers in order to bolster its run-stopping prowess.

Auburn's run defense should be stronger this season with the amount of returning talent on the roster, and Georgia's offense doesn't look like it will be able to fully exploit the Tigers' greatest weakness—the secondary. With the home-field advantage in Auburn's favor, I look for the offense to run right at Georgia and pick up a physical bounce-back victory here.

Predicted Record: 9-1 (6-1 SEC)

Nov. 21 vs. Idaho

John Raoux/Associated Press

Auburn has not one, but two Petrinos on the schedule this season, as Bobby's brother Paul is set to bring his Idaho Vandals into Jordan-Hare Stadium.

The Tigers' Iron Bowl-tuneup opponents went 1-11 last year, mostly due to turnover issues and simply awful defense. Quarterback Matt Linehan led the nation in interceptions and was a sack magnet. This year, he doesn't have any of his top three receivers from last season, although top running back Elijhaa Penny returns after scoring seven touchdowns a season ago.

Six starters are back on a defense that allowed at least 400 yards in all but one game last season—the Vandals' 29-17 win over fellow Sun Belt cellar-dweller New Mexico State. Auburn will be able to stick to the ground game without any real problem, as Idaho has ranked 99th or worse nationally in rush defense each of the last three seasons.

This game might be an easier challenge for Auburn than the one it will have against an FCS opponent. The Tigers will rest and refuel for the Iron Bowl with this blowout.

Predicted Record: 10-1 (6-1 SEC)

Nov. 28 vs. Alabama

The first Iron Bowl in Auburn since the "Kick Six" could once again determine the winner of the SEC West and the conference's national championship contender. It's the biggest and toughest game on Auburn's schedule every single year, and this one is no different.

Alabama's offense, like others in the SEC, needs to find a solid answer at quarterback heading into 2015, but the Tide will also have to replace their three best receivers. Offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin could make the Tide run an even faster attack this season, and he'll have an impressive backfield with Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake.

On defense, Alabama will be tough as usual in the front seven. The defensive line returns Jonathan Allen, A'Shawn Robinson and Jarran Reed from last season, while the linebacking corps can rely on the veteran leadership of Reggie Ragland. The secondary is looking for improvement after last season, especially considering the 456 yards Nick Marshall put on Alabama in last year's shootout.

Like I mentioned yesterday in my Alabama predictions, this is the biggest toss-up game for me to pick in 2015. Right now, Auburn needs vast improvement on defense, while Alabama needs players to step up in the passing game. By the time this game is played, those questions will be answered. At this moment, I lean ever so slightly toward Alabama because of its overall depth, talent and experience advantages.

But a lot can change between now and then for both programs.

Predicted Record: 10-2 (6-2 SEC)

Justin Ferguson is a college football writer at Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @JFergusonBR.