Every Tuesday we present The Auburn Corner, where we’ll get into a different topic on the Auburn Tigers, break down the previous game, preview the upcoming game, and everything in between.
In this week’s edition, Auburn got its first SEC win of the Hugh Freeze era against Mississippi State and faces a favorable schedule the rest of the year as it searches for bowl eligibility.
For the first time this season against a real opponent, the Auburn Tigers looked like a competent offense and Payton Thorne looked comfortable as a passer. It was by far Thorne’s best game as an Auburn Tiger throwing for over 200 yards and three touchdowns in just the first half.
While the Tigers’ offense died a bit in the second half, they were still able to secure a 27-13 victory and the first win against an SEC opponent for Freeze.
Auburn’s mid-season schedule was incredibly difficult, facing a four-game gauntlet once conference play began. And the Tigers were simply was not prepared for the task.
However, now comes an incredibly light back end of the schedule. The Tigers hit the road the next two weeks – Saturdayt in Nashville to take on Vanderbilt and next week in Fayetteville to take on a struggling Arkansas team who flat-out is not scoring points right now.
Auburn should handle Vandy, and while Arkansas presents more of a test, it’s a game the Tigers can win as well. After these two, it’s New Mexico State at home followed by the Iron Bowl at home.
Sitting at 4-4, the path to six wins and bowl eligibility is beyond clear. 2-2 should be the absolute bare minimum over these final four, with the potential to be 3-0 headed into the Iron Bowl, if Auburn plays how it did against Mississippi State.
Despite it has been a rough season for the most part, Freeze, Thorne, and the Auburn Tigers have a chance to end things on a strong note over the next month or so.
Follow Michael Brauner on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP
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