My 2009 Auburn Football Pigskin Prognostication

Game 1 v.s. LaTech - This game concerns me a little, simply because of all of the unknowns surrounding the 2009 Tigers. However, a team that lost to Nevada, Hawai'i, and Army should not give Auburn much of a problem. It will be close only because the Tigers are working out the kinks.
8/31/09 Prediction: AU 28 - LaTech 17
Actual score: AU 37 - LaTech 13

Game 2 v.s. Miss. State - I think our defense will be the difference again in this one, but we should score a lot more than last years 3-2 anomaly. Home field should be worth two touchdowns and an offense with everyone on the same page should be worth two more. The Bullpups just don't know how to win.
8/31/09 Prediction: AU 28 - MSU 6
9/5/09 Prediction: AU 44 - MSU 14
Actual score: AU 49 - MSU 24

Game 3 v.s. W. Virginia - You might struggle to remember that Auburn was up 17-10 at the half of last year's game. There must have been a fistfight in the Tigers locker room at the half as they came back out looking over matched. Home field advantage is the difference in this one, as the freaks come out at night in The Jungle!
8/31/09 Prediction: AU 24 - W. Virginia 21
9/12/09 Prediction: AU 31 - W. Virginia 27
Actual score: AU 41 - W. Virginia 30

Game 4 v.s. Ball State - Where is Ball? Anyway, Gus Malzahn knows how to solve this problem, as Tulsa dismantled the Cards in the Mobile Bowl.
8/31/09 Prediction: AU 42 - Ball State 17
9/20/09 Prediction: AU 56 - Ball State 3
Actual score: AU 54 - Ball State 30

Game 5 at UT - I think momentum is the key in this one, as Auburn comes into the game 4-0 while UT is 2-2 with losses to the hands of UCLA and Florida. Will Kiffin even be the coach at this point or will he be fired in mid-season a la Al Davis?
8/31/09 Prediction: AU 21 - UT 14
9/27/09 Prediction: AU 33 - UT 27
Actual score: AU 26 - UT 22

Game 6 v.s. Arkansas - I'm sad to say that the joyride ends here. Even with orange and blue colored glasses, I cannot see Auburn escaping Knoxville AND Fayetteville with wins. The only reason I am penciling it in here is Petrino seems to be turning things around and has familiarity with the Tiger's type of offense. It will still be close.
8/31/09 Prediction: Ark 21 - AU 20
10/3/09 Prediction: AU 36 - Ark 30
Actual score: AU 23 - Ark 44

Game 7 v.s. UK - The Wildkittens arrive in Auburn only to remember it's not a basketball game and run into a group of pissed off Tigers!
8/31/09 Prediction: AU 35 - UK 13
10/10/09 Prediction: AU 33 - UK 27
Actual score: AU 14 - UK 21

Game 8 at LSU - I really don't think the Bayou Bengals are much better than Auburn to start the year, but by now attrition has set in and c'mon Baton Rouge at night? SCARY!
8/31/09 Prediction: LSU 21 - AU 10
10/18/09 Prediction: LSU 24 - AU 23 in OT
Actual score: AU 10 - LSU 31

Game 9 v.s. Ole Miss - I'm sorry, but I just don't understand the Rebel's hype. Sure, they have great talent, but Nutt couldn't win the SEC with Darren McFadden AND Felix Jones in the backfield. The Tigers squeak by in this one.
8/31/09 Prediction: AU 14 - Ole Miss 13
10/26/09 Prediction: Ole Miss 29 - AU 23
Actual score: AU 33 - Ole Miss 20

Game 10 v.s. Furman - Why bother?
8/31/09 Prediction: AU 42 - Furman 3
11/4/09 Prediction: AU 41 - Furman 17
Actual score: AU 63 - Furman 31

Game 11 at UGA - Playing between the hedges again weaves it's magic as Auburn restores the "visiting team wins" madness to this series.
8/31/09 Prediction: AU 21 - UGA 17
11/8/09 Prediction: AU 31 - UGA 27
Actual score: UGA 31 - AU 24

Game 11 v.s. Bama - The Tigers play with pride and the home field in their corner, but it's just not enough to close the gap... THIS YEAR! See you in T-Town!
8/31/09 Prediction: Bama 24 - AU 17
Actual score: Bama 26 - AU 21

Bottom line - through my tinted glasses I see a 9-3 season. I would be disappointed with 5-7 and, after a period of mourning, satisfied with anything better. But I say 9-3 and a trip to the Cotton Bowl where Chizik gets to take on Texas. I can't see these young, inexperienced Tigers whipping the Longhorns.
8/31/09 Prediction: UT 35 - AU 21. But 9-4 and a full recruiting season under the belt should make things much better in 2010!