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Auburn Football: 5 reasons the Tigers will struggle in 2017

By Andrew Miller

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 17: Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn walks the field before an NCAA college football game against the Texas A
AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 17: Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn walks the field before an NCAA college football game against the Texas A /
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NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 02: Head coach Gus Malzahn of the Auburn Tigers stands on the field during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LA – JANUARY 02: Head coach Gus Malzahn of the Auburn Tigers stands on the field during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on January 2, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

4. Momentum continues going in the wrong direction

Losers of three of their final four games in 2016, Auburn needs to reverse their fortunes if they want a chance at success this year. The 13-7 loss to Georgia on Nov. 12 caused Auburn to fall into a tailspin. They lost key games against Alabama and Oklahoma that would have established them as perennial contenders in 2017.

A Sept. 9 road trip to South Carolina to face the Clemson Tigers would be rude awakening to the Tigers if they cannot get it together. If they’re not prepared for the triple option scheme of Georgia Southern, that could be a rough one.

Part of the problem with gaining SEC hype is the toughness of schedule coming along with it. You have to face Alabama, LSU, Texas A&M, and Arkansas each year. Any given week leads to upsets that surprises the entire college football world.

Defeating both Clemson and Georgia Southern puts Auburn in a good position for their Sept. 23 trip to Columbia to face the Missouri Tigers.

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