We learned last year that it's not just who play, but when you play them that matters in the SEC. Our schedule was a beast last year with the 4 game stretch starting with Arkansas and we paid the price on the back end against Bama. Meanwhile, we benefitted in 2012 catching Bama at the end of a similarly touch 4 game stretch.
Our gauntlet this year is the 4 game stretch from Bama to Auburn. I think the schedule sets up well for wins against Bama and/or LSU. However, games against Ole Miss, South Carolina and Auburn are much tougher because of when we play them.
Key 2015 Games:
Arkansas - Ags should be fresh after Ball State; Ark plays Tech the week before and hopefully Kingsbury will wear them out, but if their running game dominates then they could be well rested and full of confidence. No advantage
Miss. State - Week after Arkansas, like last year, this game could be tougher if we get beat up by the Hogs size; State will have played LSU and Auburn leading up to the game and a couple losses could have them struggling. Advantage A&M
Bama - Ags coming off a bye week, should be rested after Ark and MSU; Bama will be playing the 7th game of an 8 game stretch with no bye week, playing Georgia and Ark prior to game. Advantage A&M
Ole Miss - Week after Bama, need Chavis to make an impact; Ole Miss coming off 2 easy non-conference games. Advantage Ole Miss
SCar - Game 3 of gauntlet for Ags; SCar coming off a bye week. Advantage SCar
Auburn - Game 4 of the gauntlet, either rolling or struggling at this point, another Chavis impact needed ; Auburn has Ark and Ole Miss leading up to the game, has Muschamp expiriment imploded by Nov? Advantage Auburn
LSU - Ags coming off Vandy and W Carolina, should be rested after gauntlet; LSU coming off their toughest 4 stretch with Bama, Ark, and Ole Miss. Advantage A&M
I'll predict a 5-0 start, hope for a 2-2 split during our Bama-Auburn stretch and then close out 3-0.
10-2, 6-2 SEC
Our gauntlet this year is the 4 game stretch from Bama to Auburn. I think the schedule sets up well for wins against Bama and/or LSU. However, games against Ole Miss, South Carolina and Auburn are much tougher because of when we play them.
Key 2015 Games:
Arkansas - Ags should be fresh after Ball State; Ark plays Tech the week before and hopefully Kingsbury will wear them out, but if their running game dominates then they could be well rested and full of confidence. No advantage
Miss. State - Week after Arkansas, like last year, this game could be tougher if we get beat up by the Hogs size; State will have played LSU and Auburn leading up to the game and a couple losses could have them struggling. Advantage A&M
Bama - Ags coming off a bye week, should be rested after Ark and MSU; Bama will be playing the 7th game of an 8 game stretch with no bye week, playing Georgia and Ark prior to game. Advantage A&M
Ole Miss - Week after Bama, need Chavis to make an impact; Ole Miss coming off 2 easy non-conference games. Advantage Ole Miss
SCar - Game 3 of gauntlet for Ags; SCar coming off a bye week. Advantage SCar
Auburn - Game 4 of the gauntlet, either rolling or struggling at this point, another Chavis impact needed ; Auburn has Ark and Ole Miss leading up to the game, has Muschamp expiriment imploded by Nov? Advantage Auburn
LSU - Ags coming off Vandy and W Carolina, should be rested after gauntlet; LSU coming off their toughest 4 stretch with Bama, Ark, and Ole Miss. Advantage A&M
I'll predict a 5-0 start, hope for a 2-2 split during our Bama-Auburn stretch and then close out 3-0.
10-2, 6-2 SEC
