We’ve almost reached the college football regular season and it’s time to make our final predictions for the 2022 season.
Our projections for the offensive and defensive depth charts are out, and now it’s time to predict how the season will go.
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The Tigers will open the season on Sept. 3 against Mercer at Jordan-Hare Stadium and will have five straight home games. This represents a golden opportunity for Bryan Harin and the rest of the coaching staff to figure out any lingering questions from fall camp.
The biggest of these is who will be the starting quarterback, and while TJ Finley has moved up ahead of Robby Ashford and Zach Calzada, an official announcement has yet to be made.
The Tigers will have games against Mercer and San Jose State to see what the offense looks like under Finley and other candidates before their first test in Week 3 when Penn State brings in Jordan Hare.
Here are our game-by-game predictions for how the 2022 season will go for Auburn.
Sept. 3: vs. Mercer Bears
(Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
Forecast: Auburn 45, Mercer 10
Overall record: 1-0
Auburn is too talented for Mercer and should start the season with a great win. Expect Finley and Ashford to see the field.
Sept. 10: vs. San Jose State Spartans
(Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)
Forecast: Auburn 40, San Jose State 13
Overall record: 2-0
Auburn will again be too talented for their opponent and will be coming off a win before their big week three matchup.
Sept. 17: vs. Penn State Nittany Lions
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Forecast: Penn State 24, Auburn 17
Overall record: 2-1
Auburn will be shorthanded in their first test of the season against the Nittany Lions. The Tigers’ defense will keep Auburn in the game, but the offense won’t be able to generate the explosive plays needed to pull out the win.
Sept. 24: vs. Missouri Tigers
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Forecast: Auburn 35, Missouri 20
Overall record: 3-1
Auburn’s offense will get things going and the defense will hold Missouri in check to bounce back from its first loss of the season.
Oct. 1: vs. LSU Tigers
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Forecast: Auburn 30, LSU 17
Overall record: 4-1
Auburn will take advantage of Bryan Kelly in his first year at LSU to pick up their second straight win against the Bayou Bengals.
Oct. 8: at Georgia Bulldogs (Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry)
(AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Forecast: Georgia 35, Auburn 10
Overall record: 4-2
Georgia could replace a ton of talented and proven players, but their program is operating at a different level than Auburn’s currently, and the Tigers will lose their sixth straight to the Bulldogs.
Oct. 15: at Ole Miss Rebels
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Forecast: Ole Miss 30, Auburn 20
Overall record: 4-3
The Ole Miss offense will be too much for Auburn’s defense in Oxford as the offense is unable to keep up.
Oct. 29: vs. Arkansas Razorbacks
(AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Forecast: Arkansas 27, Auburn 21
Overall record: 4-4
Arkansas isn’t the most talented team, but they’re well coached and not someone you want to play when you’re coming off back-to-back losses. The Razorbacks will capitalize and snap Auburn’s six-game winning streak against them.
Nov. 5: at Mississippi State Bulldogs
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Forecast: Mississippi State 32, Auburn 24
Overall record: 4-5
Auburn won’t be able to avenge their fall last season and the cowbells will be ringing all night long.
Nov. 12: vs. Texas A&M Aggies
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Forecast: Auburn 24, Texas A&M 17
Overall record: 5-5
Auburn wins a defensive battle against the Aggies at Jordan-Hare to snap a four-game losing streak and try to save the season.
Nov. 19: vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
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Forecast: Auburn 42, Western Kentucky 28
Overall record: 6-5
Auburn wins against the Hilltoppers, but they make it interesting because of their offense.
Nov. 26: at Alabama Crimson Tide (Iron Bowl)
Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Forecast: Alabama 42, Auburn 20
Overall record: 6-6
Auburn hasn’t fared well in Tuscaloosa in recent years and this year will be no different, expect the Crimson Tide to be in control early.
The final record
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Estimated enrollment: 6-6
Conference recording: 3-5
Will this be enough for Harsin to save his job? Only time will tell, but a few more wins will surely make him more comfortable.