SEC football is different this fall with stadiums being at limited capacity, staff must wear masks on the sidelines and even television commentators are seated six feet apart.
One of the most significant changes this season is adjusting to a 10-game conference-only schedule and seeing games moved on the schedule that have historically been played at a specific time in the year.
While the change to the schedule has undoubtedly made the road for SEC teams more complicated, it seems that Auburn is embracing the challenge.
Auburn and Georgia have played a majority of its games in November, but this year it will be in October for just the sixth time ever. Auburn wide receiver Anthony Schwartz does not mind the change, though.
“To me, it doesn’t matter when we play them,” Schwartz said. “We can play early, we can play them late, we can play them in the middle ... shoot, we can even play them after the season’s over.”
Even with a significant rivalry game being moved up and the shift to a 10-game conference only schedule this season, Schwartz is looking forward to competing.
“Honestly, I like it,” Schwartz said. “Personally, I love competition. I love playing against the best of the best and, if it was up to me, we’d play a 10-game SEC schedule every year.”
Senior defensive tackle Daquan Newkirk believes that this is nothing new for the Tigers.
“I feel like since I’ve been here, Auburn has played the toughest schedule in the SEC,” said Newkirk. “It’s no big deal. We’re used to it. We want this.”
The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry will be renewed on Oct. 3 at 6:30 p.m. CST and will be televised on ESPN.
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