August is quickly coming to an end, and with that comes the start of Auburn football.
In just 16 days, the Tigers will make their 2012 debut against Clemson at the Georgia Dome in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Atlanta, and to say it's a must-win is an understatement.
As Auburn athletes, students and fans, we know there are few things more painful than a season opening loss.
Why? Because we, the Auburn family, are proud. Proud of our team; proud of our traditions; proud of our legacy.
In 2010, the Tigers rallied behind Cam Newton to beat Clemson in overtime at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Then came the 2011 match, a game most of us are trying to forget.
Auburn entered Death Valley looking to extend its 17-game winning streak, the highest in the nation.
After scoring 14 unanswered points in the first quarter, the Tigers began to feel their lead, and their win streak, slipping away.
By the start of the second half, all Auburn's inexperienced defense could do was stand and watch as freshman quarterback Tajh Boyd and the Tigers put up Cam-like numbers, going on to win 38-24.
Boyd finished the game with 386 passing yards and four touchdowns.
Now, fast forward to Dec. 31.
Auburn ended its season with an impressive, and unlikely, 43-24 victory over the Virginia Cavaliers in last year's Chick-fil-A Bowl.
Clemson's season-closer in Miami was a different kind of impressive.
The No. 14 Tigers were completely humiliated by No. 23 West Virginia in the Orange Bowl.
The Mountaineers set a bowl scoring record with their 70-33 offensive explosion.
But that was last season.
This is now. Game three. The rubber game, if you will.
It's the deciding factor, the series clincher and one of the most anticipated games of the opening week.
Kick-off is set for 6 p.m. CDT, giving a needed edge to Auburn. Last season, Auburn went 4-1 in night games, while Clemson finished the year 3 3.
Defense may win games, but if the last meeting was any indication of what's to come Sept. 1, Auburn must score and score early.
Auburn has the talent to pull off a win, no question. But does it have the experience?
Barrett Trotter is gone. Freshman Zeke Pike was sent home for the summer. Neither sophomore Kiehl Frazier or junior Clint Moseley has impressed the coaches enough to be named the starter.
While Frazier looks to be the favorite, he has little big-game passing experience. Moseley, who started six games last season after replacing Trotter, has more playing time, but he still has to prove himself as a playmaker.
The biggest offensive hurdle is the loss of running back Michael Dyer, who led the team in rushing with more than 1,200 yards.
Running backs Onterio McCalebb and Tre Mason need to have big games if Auburn hopes to pull out a win.
Clemson's offense remains unchanged coming into the season.
Boyd now has the experience to coincide with a talented receiving unit led by sophomore superstar Sammy Watkins.
The Chick-fil-A kickoff matchup is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. CDT, and it will be televised by ESPN.
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