The Iron Bowl is listed as a “swing game” in the SEC

When it comes to playing football in the SEC, every week is a grind.

A win or loss at a crucial point of the season could be the difference between a team winning their division, earning a bowl bid, or even a coach keeping their job.

Brad Crawford of 247sports recently listed his top 12 “swing games” for the SEC, and then ranked them according to importance. Auburn is only featured once on the list, with the Iron Bowl checking in at No. 11 in the rankings.

Crawford says that this game is important solely because Auburn could be fighting for that much-needed sixth win in order to become bowl eligible. Another tight game with Alabama could make the difference in head coach Bryan Harsin’s future as well.

“The Iron Bowl is this far back on the list following last season’s unexpected four-overtime classic? This is more of a projection than anything, but Auburn could be fighting for bowl eligibility against the Crimson Tide during the final weekend of November. Bryan Harsin is on the SEC’s hottest seat and his future on the Plains will likely be determined by what happens before the Tigers travel to Tuscaloosa this fall and take on Alabama.”

Most of the national media is giving Harsin a snowball’s chance to keep his job by the time December rolls around. But, as we have seen many times in Auburn football history, it seems that the teams with the least amount of expectations are the ones that are the most surprising.

Sure, Crawford’s projection could be correct, but there is also a chance that Harsin finds success on the field and recruiting trail, meaning that his seat is a little cooler by the time the game in Tuscaloosa comes around.

For the complete list of 247sports’ 12 biggest swing games in 2022, see below:

12. Tennessee at LSU, Oct. 8

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