In the past few years, Auburn and Clemson have formed the beginnings of a heated rivalry. Already similar in mascot and campus, the recent games played between the two teams have differed no less on the scoreboard.
The last time Auburn played Clemson in the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, the Tigers (of the Auburn variety) narrowly defeated Clemson 23-20 in overtime.
In 2010, Auburn nearly squandered its chances for an undefeated season before Clemson kicker Chandler Cantanzaro missed a field goal in overtime to give Auburn the victory 27-24.
The only game that hasn't been so close was the most recent, when Clemson defeated Auburn 38-24 in Memorial Stadium last year. After being tied 21-21 at halftime, Clemson rallied to outscore Auburn 17-3 in the second half, ending the game and Auburn's 17-game win streak, the longest in the nation at the time.
The teams that will meet on the turf Saturday are hardly the same as last year, however. Auburn has two new coordinators in Scot Loeffler and Brian VanGorder and will be starting sophomore Kiehl Frazier at quarterback instead of the recently graduated Barrett Trotter. The team must also account for the loss of running back Michael Dyer who was responsible for 151 rushing yards and two touchdowns against Clemson last year.
Clemson installed a new system of its own, bringing in former Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables to remedy a defense that gave up 70 points to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl last season. Additionally, Clemson will be without last year's sack-leader, the recently drafted Andre Branch, and suspended sophomore wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Watkins scorched the Auburn defense for 199 total yards and two touchdowns last season.
As for playing in the Georgia Dome, Clemson will try to snap another of Auburn's streaks. Games in the Georgia Dome have been a peach for Auburn, having won its last four meetings there and outscoring opponents 160-89. Clemson, on the other hand, has not won in the Georgia Dome since the PeachBowl in January 2004. Recently, the team lost to Auburn in the aformentioned 2007 Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta and dropped the season opener to Alabama there in the inaugural Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in 2008.
Auburn is 15-1 against non-conference opponents under Gene Chizik. The one loss? That came against Clemson in 2011.
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