The SEC has got to do something about the uneven Auburn football schedule.
This necessity should be obvious, whether you’re a die-hard Auburn fan or a member of the I’m-for-anybody-who-plays Auburn crowd.
This season was the perfect storm for why a change has to be made. Look at the Tigers’ slate since November 11. They faced four opponents with a combined record of 43-1 when they faced Auburn — and that one loss was by Georgia in its first meeting with Auburn.
The Tigers beat Georgia and Alabama at Jordan-Hare Stadium to get within one win of the college football playoff. They then lost to one-loss Georgia and will play undefeated Central Florida on January 1.
There’s plenty of talent coming back for Auburn next year, but it may not matter. That’s because Auburn will play two of its final three regular-season games at Georgia and at Alabama. Neither team even came close to losing at home this year, and there’s no indication that next year will be any different.
I’m not advocating that Auburn drop Georgia from its annual schedule. I’m not even sure that moving one of those games to earlier in the season is the right answer.
But I do know that having both Georgia and Alabama at home or on the road in the same season is too much of a burden or advantage for one team down the stretch.
For Threaded Fasteners, I’m Randy Kennedy with Nuts and Bolts of the Game.