Auburn Football: Things Only Going to Get Worse in October

After suffering a miserable loss at "Death Valley" to Clemson 38-24 things are literally only going to get worse. The defending champs were looking decent through the first two weeks after starting out at 2-0.

People were telling me to eat some crow because Auburn was a "lock" to win nine games and reach another New Year's Day Bowl. Not so fast my friends!

Auburn's schedule is abysmal and the defense finally was torched emphatically through the air. Taj Boyd came into the game for Clemson without ever throwing for 200 yards. 

Well, he went bonkers against poor Auburn's pass defense that allowed 386 yards! The run defense was worse allowing 238 yards. The defense was flat out ripped apart allowing a total of 624 yards!

The Auburn defense had absolutely no answer after they were up 14-0 right out of the gates. Auburn's offense was not bad marching down the field for 19 first downs, but they allowed 32 to Clemson.

Barrett Trotter finally showed he was human completing just 12 of 25 passes for 198 yards and his one interception with just one touchdown was not nearly enough.

So, can Auburn bounce back and avenge this tough loss?

Well, they start with a sorry Florida Atlantic team that has been outscore 85-3 against Michigan State and Florida. Auburn should not have any issues having 40 some odd points against this hard to watch Owls squad.

However, the road to a bowl game gets much tougher. They travel to South Carolina in two weeks in what should be a top 10 squad in the Gamecocks. Their offense is loaded and their defense is much more stout than Auburn's. Then the following week they must travel to Fayetteville against a filthy Razorback offense loaded with receivers. 

If Clemson can rack up for over 600 yards of offense, what can Arkansas do? Yikes!

Sadly, the schedule only gets worse! The host a Florida Gators team that looks like a legit ranked team at least at the moment.

Their secondary is a tad better than Auburn's but their front seven is harassing Tennessee at the moment and the sick part is that the Gators offense is starting to get better. If Florida improves offensively, they might be favored on the road against Auburn.

The secondary is not necessarily the issue at Auburn; it is the defense as a hole. They do not have a ferocious defensive line despite what most "fans" may say, but if the opposing has time to throw (See Clemson) their defense will be in big trouble.

Taj Boyd is not exactly a Heisman candidate though he has a ton of upside, but these quarterbacks that the Tigers are going up against have just as talented of a receiving corp that Boyd and Clemson possessed.   

Back to the schedule, though. Auburn must then travel to the other "Death Valley" with the best defense in America (save Alabama) awaiting them. LSU just smashed and dashed the Oregon Ducks and are coming off an impressive victory over Mississippi State.

Jarrett Lee has even better options to throw to with Russell Shephard returning and we know Reuben Randle and Deangelo Peterson are studs. Can Michael Dyer break loose against the best front four in the nation? If he can't the Tigers will lean heavily on the arm of Trotter.

Auburn then gets a nice home game against arguably the worst team in the entire SEC. Enter the Ole Miss Rebels who should be shellacked by Auburn's explosive offense. I see zero chance of a loss here for Auburn, but the following weekend could be tough to overcome.

The "Deep South's Oldest Rivalry" will be a great battle and the game could lock up a bowl game for the winner. Georgia's own Mark Richt is on the hot seat. Georgia has a solid offense with media darling Aaron Murray and their defense is not too shabby either. However, they do seem to have a loser's creed as of late so this game is a toss-up.

Auburn gets to rest up against Samford before eventually hosting Alabama in the "Iron Bowl" in what is one of the best rivalries in the game.

I foresee a 5-6 record going into the game against Alabama just because I have been impressed with the Florida Gators and feel that Georgia is still a bit better overall compared to Auburn.

They will give Alabama their "A" game, but unfortunately, that still may not be enough against the most talented team in the nation. Alabama blew a 24-0 lead over Auburn last season and they will be out for blood this season, especially with a possible BCS National Championship/SEC West crown all on the line.

Auburn does not lack much talent it has more to do with consistency on both sides of the ball. When youth is throw under fire you question if they can continue to play week after week with the same production. Is Barrett Trotter the type of leader who can carry this offense when need be?

Is the secondary going to be able to hold up when the front four is not relentless? These questions are not going to be an easy answer with some juggernauts awaiting the defending champions.

Therefore, with as the Tigers were extremely depressing to watch against Clemson, I wonder how hard they will fall after a tough loss like this.