I think it's a really good debate.

IMO, Auburn's greatest case is based around 2 things: Last year's score & recruiting rankings.

I think MSU's case is based around actually comparing the starters at each position, home field, & schedule.

While Auburn did blow us out last year, I believe it's important to remember a few things about that game:

1. It was the week after us getting blown out at UGA, who played in the natty
2. It was on the road at Jordan-Hare. Remember Auburn beat both UGA & Bama at Jordan Hare last year. They beat Bama by 12 & UGA 40-17. So getting blown out at Jordan Hare last year happened to the national title contenders.
3. We had a game changing scoop & score blown dead. Perhaps the game ends up the same, but that was a huge blow on the road with a team coming off getting blown out by UGA.

Comparing us to Auburn this year, I think it comes down to a few things:

1. Stidham is good but so is Fitz. I don't see a huge talent difference there. They are just different types of QBs
2. We can debate all day which front 7 is better. In the end, I don't think either team runs the ball all that well in the game anyway.
3. Auburn is replacing 4 starters on the OL while we are returning 4 guys. HUGE ADVANTAGE FOR MSU
4. Auburn is replacing their star RB while MSU not.

So, regardless if Auburn's front 7 is better than ours or not, I believe when we play them this year, our front 7 will play better in that game due to Auburn's young, inexperienced OL playing in their first true road game. I look for our defense to play very very well against them

Conversely, I don't see us having much success on the ground that day either. So, IMO, if MSU is able to throw the ball with any sort of consistency in that game & not give Auburn short fields, due to turnovers, MSU should have a great great chance to win.