South Alabama’s first-ever football trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium is coming in Week 3, and let’s be real — this game is screaming “trap.”
Here’s the setup: Auburn opens the season at Baylor in a game that could set the tone for the whole year. Then Ball State comes to town in Week 2 — a likely blowout. Sitting right between that cupcake and a massive road trip to Oklahoma? The South Alabama Jaguars. That’s how teams get caught sleepwalking.
Make no mistake, this isn’t some no-name FCS tune-up. Major Applewhite’s squad has gone to three straight bowl games and won the last two. They’re tough against the run and they’re bringing speed on offense with burner Anthony Eager and sure-handed vet Devin Voisin.
The big question is at quarterback, where the Jags are trying to find their guy after losing Gio Lopez to UNC. But if they figure it out — and if they hang around against Tulane in Week 2 — they’ll roll into Auburn with plenty of confidence.
For Hugh Freeze, the key is simple: keep everybody’s eyes on the Jaguars, not the Sooners. Auburn fans don’t need another New Mexico State flashback, and a sloppy win (or worse) would have the “hot seat” whispers firing up before the first month is over.
Bottom line — handle your business, get the W, and move on to Norman. But don’t get caught looking past a hungry in-state opponent that would love nothing more than to make history on the Plains.
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