re: Why are so many so-called experts picking Auburn to win the SEC?

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The second factor is that the West is really facing a lot of unknowns. You could make a case for most SEC West teams to win the division. I think a two loss team wins the West this year.
That is why schedule is so important this year. Auburn faces the toughest games at home, Alabama probably has one of the toughest schedules in the country, LSU has some really brutal looking away games and Arkansas has a pretty tough draw from the East.

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Winner, winner, chicken dinner. I think Auburn competes for the West and is within striking distance when the Iron Bowl rolls around. If that is the case having the game at home is a big advantage.

Auburn's schedule is tough but doable. There are some games Auburn could easily lose on there, but every team in the West is looking at making it through a minefield this season.

I think Auburn's season plays out in one of two ways. They either stick close to the Tide all season and play for all the marbles in the Iron Bowl, or they get derailed at some point and stumble badly down the stretch.

The last option seems more unlikely because they finish the home stretch of the season in Auburn and they have only one back to back road game run in their schedule. Auburn doesn't have to be perfect this season, Bama will likely drop at least one game along the way and everyone in the West should have their share of losses as well.

Stay close to the top of the West and play for a shot at Atlanta in the Iron Bowl.