Auburn football: ESPN predicts every game in 2021
Auburn is a slightly above average team in 2021, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI). Using ESPN FPI predicted the outcome of each upcoming game this season.
The FPI is considered a strong tool to predict a given outcome for any college program, but Auburn feels better than a (7-5) group, losing all of its major tests against the SEC’s top opponents. Let’s jump into the game-by-game predictions.
Sept. 4 vs. Akron
This one is simple. Auburn kicks off the 2021 campaign with a home game against Akron. The Tigers should dominate in all phases of the game at home.
Sept. 11 vs. Alabama State
The Auburn brass clearly wanted to ease into the new season. There are brutal tests ahead; so a guaranteed 2-0 start is key for confidence. Auburn has a 99.8% chance to win.
Sept. 18 at Penn State
This is where it starts to get interesting. ESPN has Auburn losing the road trip to Happy Valley by a fairly close margin (38.5% chance to win). It should be a game featuring two teams in similar places, but the home-field advantage obviously tilts toward Penn State.
Sept. 25 vs. Georgia State
The Auburn faithful is going to either love or get bored by the third cupcake matchup of the year. Georgia State finished 6-4 in 2020 but got drubbed by Coastal Carolina 51-0. Auburn has a 91.6% chance to win.
Oct. 2 at LSU
On the first weekend of October, the Tigers are faced with another massive road test. The trip to LSU marks the first SEC game of the year. ESPN doesn’t see Gus Malzahn and company pulling it off, giving LSU a 45.2% chance of victory.
Oct. 9 vs. Georgia
Auburn’s second half of the schedule is brutal. Even though the Bulldogs will have to travel to Jordan-Hare, ESPN has them as the clear favorite. Auburn has a 36.8% chance to win.
Oct. 16 at Arkansas
Arkansas is in rebuild mode once again with Sam Pittman taking over as head coach. If Auburn falls to LSU and Georgia as ESPN predicts, this will be a key point in the season to right the ship. Auburn has a solid 58.3 % chance for victory according to the FPI.
Oct. 30 vs. Ole Miss
On the day before Halloween, Auburn hosts quarterback Matt Corral and the Rebels. The Tigers outlasted Ole Miss 35-28 last year and ESPN loves this matchup for the Tigers, giving them a 68.4% chance to win.
Nov. 6 at Texas A&M
Yet another tough SEC test. It would be interesting to see how ESPN would sway if this was a home game, but considering it’s in College Station, the FPI favors the Aggies. Auburn has a 21.3% chance to win.
Nov. 13 vs Mississippi State
ESPN gives Auburn a 68.4% chance to topple Mississippi State at home. The Tigers handled the Bulldogs 24-10 a season ago.
Nov. 20 at South Carolina
The Tigers have a 74.8% chance to take care of business on the road against South Carolina. The Tigers should win with ease, but Shane Beamer feels like he’s the guy to turn the Gamecocks around in a hurry. Auburn can’t afford to fall asleep and get upset in this one late in the season.
Nov. 27 vs. Alabama
Auburn hosts Alabama in the 2021 Iron Bowl. ESPN clearly sees the two rivals as close in terms of talent, giving the Tigers an 18.7% chance to win here. Either way, this one will be a classic as it always is.