The Clemson Insider has gone through and analyzed every team in Clemson’s 2016 regular season to find the toughest matchups the Tigers will face. The result? A calculated ranking of every team Clemson plays from easiest to hardest.
Where a team ranks depends on a couple main characteristics like last season’s outcome, prior meetings with Clemson, returning and departing talent, recruiting and changes within coaching staffs.
We continue our ranking with the No. 3 opponent: Auburn (Sept. 3 – Jordan-Hare Stadium)
Last meeting: This will be the first time the teams have faced off since 2012, when Clemson defeated Auburn 26-19 in Atlanta as part of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. In the history of the rivalry between the two Tigers, Auburn leads Clemson 34-13-2. However, Clemson has come out on top in the two most recent matchups.
Last season: in 2015, Auburn went 7-6, only winning two games in conference play. Their biggest wins came against Louisville, Texas A&M and Kentucky, while they went on to defeat Memphis 31-10 in the Birmingham Bowl. 2015 was Auburn’s worst season since going 3-9 in 2012, which was the last time Auburn played its season opener against Clemson.
Coaching Staff: Gus Malzahn is entering his fourth season as head coach along with offensive coordinator Rhett Lashlee. Will Muschamp left Auburn after one season to become the head coach of South Carolina, leaving former Clemson and LSU defensive coordinator Kevin Steele to come in and take over as defensive chief.
Returning: Auburn returns few starters in 2016, but Freshman All-American cornerback Carlton Davis led the SEC in interceptions by a freshman with three, and will return in the secondary. Defensive linemen Carl Lawson and Montravious Adams also return.
Additions: Auburn landed four-star dual threat quarterback Woody Barrett and former Florida State and junior college transfer John Franklin III. The Tigers also brought in three four-star receivers with the 2016 signing class. Among those receivers are Kyle Davis, Nate Craig-Myers, Eli Stove, and three-star Marquis McClain Out of the 21 recruits that Auburn signed, eight of them will aid in rebuilding the front seven. The Tigers landed ESPN’s top 10 five-star defensive tackle Derrick Brown, four-star defensive ends Prince Sammons, Marlon Davidson, Paul James and Nick Coe, four-star defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson, and outside linebacker Tre Threat. Auburn also added four-star cornerback John Broussard.
Subtractions: The Tigers lost leading rusher Peyton Barber and leading receiver Ricardo Louis, who ended the 2015 season with 46 receptions for 716 yards and three touchdowns. Senior receiver Melvin Ray has also exhausted his eligibility. Auburn will not return linebackers Cassanova McKinzy, Kris Frost, and Justin Garrett. All three of these athletes were starting members of the Tiger defense, and they combined for 220 tackles in the 2015 season alone. McKinzy led the team in tackles for loss with 10, while Frost had two interceptions. Auburn lost standout defensive back Blake Countess who racked up 70 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions in his one season with the Tigers. Four-year starting cornerback Jonathon Jones is also gone.
Why this game ranks where it does: This game ranks within the top three hardest matchups of 2016 due to the circumstances in which the game is played. A season opener on the road will always be tough, especially when the players on the current rosters have not played against each other. The first game of the season is the first test for the young new starters on the defense. Clemson’s veteran offense, led by Deshaun Watson, should be able to put up a lot of numbers on the scoreboard against a defense that has to replace a lot of talent as well. Auburn ended 2015 as the SEC’s 13th team in total defense after allowing 182.5 rushing yards per game. Compare that to the 1,527 yards that Wayne Gallman racked up last season in combination with the 1,105 yards Watson gained as well and you will find a key matchup to look for in the season opener.