Washington Football: 3 most important games of 2018

Auburn, much like UW, did not achieve the desired result in their New Year’s Six Bowl. The Tigers fell short to the Group of Five representative in the New Year’s Six, UCF Knights. Recently hired Nebraska Cornhuskers head coach Scott Frost led UCF to a seven-point victory.

However, Auburn ironically gets a third consecutive matchup at the Georgia Dome. Making themselves very familiar with Atlanta, Ga., the Tigers do not want the losing streak at that venue to extend to three games. The last two contests Auburn played there ended in the 34-27 Peach Bowl defeat to UCF and a convincing defeat at the hands of the Georgia Bulldogs.

This is not a postseason game or the SEC Championship Game (where Auburn lost to the Dawgs), but there’s still a ton of pressure. Washington makes for an interesting matchup with Auburn on both sides of the ball. The speed of the Auburn offense and the athleticism of the defense will be tested.

UW would put itself behind the eight ball early in the year if they fall short here. And, despite getting Auburn at a neutral site venue, it’s firmly in SEC territory and close to their campus in a bordering state. Star Tigers quarterback Jarrett Stidham gets an early taste of a strong secondary, led by the stout UW safety duo JoJo McIntosh and Taylor Rapp.