Ranking Auburn football’s past 10 season openers

Auburn has gone 8-2 over the past decade in it’s season openers. Both losses came at the hands of Clemson.

Auburn opens this season against arguably the worst team in FBS, the Akron Zips. This will be the first time in four seasons that Auburn does not open their season against a ranked opponent.

Let’s go back through the past decade and rank Auburn’s season openers.

10. Auburn 19, Clemson 26 (2012)

Sep 1, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Onterio McCalebb (23) carries the ball against the Clemson Tigers during the first half of the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Paul Abell-USA TODAY Sports

Auburn held a 19-16 lead with less than 10 minutes left in the game, but a late rally by Clemson gave the Tigers of South Carolina a seven point win. An inauspicious start to one of Auburn's worst seasons of the 21st century.

9. Auburn 13, Clemson 19 (2016)

AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 03: Chandler Cox #27 of the Auburn Tigers is tackled by Van Smith #23 and Kendall Joseph #34 of the Clemson Tigers during the first half at Jordan Hare Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Anyone who remembers the "Spinning Cox-Cat" will immediately remember after that they don't want to remember this game. Such an abysmal offensive showing.

8. Auburn 42, Utah State 38

Via Auburn Athletics

Auburn was down 38-28 midway through the fourth quarter, but some late heroics from Barrett Trotter and Michael Dyer gave Auburn the lead with 30 seconds left in the game.

7. Auburn 31, Louisville 24 (2015)

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Three interceptions from Jeremy Johnson offset an otherwise enjoyable showdown between an incredibly overhyped Auburn team and a future Heisman winner in Lamar Jackson.

6. Auburn 41, Georgia Southern 7 (2017)

Sep 2, 2017; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Jarrett Stidham runs for a touchdown against the Georgia Southern Eagles during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports

The beginning of the Jarret Stidham era started off with a 41-7 win over the Georgia Southern Eagles.

5. Auburn 45, Arkansas 21 (2014)

AUBURN, AL - AUGUST 30: Defensive back Trovon Reed #25 of the Auburn Tigers tackles running back Jonathan Williams #32 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during the game at Jordan Hare Stadium on August 30, 2014 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Mike Zarrilli/Getty Images)

Jeremy Johnson came in for the suspended Nick Marshall and went 12 of 16 for 243 yards and two touchdowns in a rout of Arkansas.

4. Auburn 29, Kentucky 13 (2020)

Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics

Auburn forced three Kentucky turnovers in a 29-13 win over the #23 Wildcats. Auburn was clinging to a 15-13 lead until a strong fourth quarter pushed Kentucky over the edge.

3. Auburn 31, Washington State 24 (2013)

AUBURN, AL - AUGUST 31: Quarterback Nick Marshall #14 of the Auburn Tigers looks downfield after dodging a tackle from corner back Daquawn Brown #25 of the Washington State Cougars during the second half of play on August 31, 2013 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama. Auburn defeated Washington State 31-24. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

The Gus Malzahn offense started out slow in 2013. However, the game itself was a thriller. A 100-yard kickoff return by Tre Mason and a 75-yard touchdown run by Corey Grant punctuated what was the start of a special season.

2. Auburn 21, Washington 16 (2018)

Sep 1, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Auburn Tigers players pray around the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game logo before the game between Auburn vs Washington at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

On third and long in the redone, Jartavious Whitlow ran over a Washington defender on a go-ahead touchdown to give Auburn a top 10 win to open the 2018 season.

1. Auburn 27, Oregon 21 (2019)

Aug 31, 2019; Arlington, TX, USA; Auburn Tigers receiver Seth Williams (18) catches the game winning touchdown pass against Oregon Ducks cornerback Verone McKinley III (23) late in the fourth quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

After a shaky day, true freshman Bo Nix put together the drive of his career late in the game and threw a touchdown to Seth Williams with less than a minute remaining to earn Auburn it's second win over the Pac-12 in as many years.

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