The Auburn Tigers have gotten off to a very impressive start to the season and have yet to take a loss through three games for the first time in over a half decade including what was a very impressive first week victory over the Baylor Bears.
Now starting conference play though, it’s an entirely different animal within the SEC than the non-conference schedule.
The schedule makers must have had a laugh when they put together the Auburn slate and had them heading to Norman, Oklahoma to take on the Sooners to start out conference play.
New Tigers quarterback Jackson Arnold of course transferred from Oklahoma this past offseason after things did not work out there for the former five-star recruit.
Arnold was supposed to be the heir apparent, but his first year starting in 2024, things did not go well at all. After multiple times being benched and simply just not playing well, Arnold needed a refresh.
He’s gotten it at Auburn, and using his legs as well as a receiving core which is lightyears ahead of what he had last year, the Tigers look like they have found their quarterback.
Whether or not Arnold is really the guy for Auburn though should have a defined answer about four hours after 2:30 p.m. CST in Norman.
The Tigers certainly go there with the confidence that they have found the next guy to bring their program back to glory. This kind of matchup is a lot for anyone to handle though, and the reception for Arnold in Oklahoma is not likely to be a positive one.
Sooner fans are going to let him have it both for leaving and more importantly leaving after having a bad year. If Arnold is mentally strong enough to block all that out and just play his game, Auburn will have a chance to win.
But on top of the fact that it will be a tough place to play, this is a very good Oklahoma team which is probably light years ahead of the Baylor team Auburn beat.
The question is going to be not only how much better has Arnold gotten, but how good is this Tigers team?
It’s been an encouraging first few weeks — but we are about to get some real answers this weekend in Norman.
