Auburn Football Adds Opponent to 2018 Schedule

Head Coach Gus Malzahn after his team's win over Louisville in the 2015 Chick Fil A Kickoff Classic. (Photo: USA Today/Brett Davis)

Auburn Football has added a non-conference game to their 2018 schedule, and the addition will certainly boost their strength of schedule. It was announced on Thursday morning that Auburn will face Washington to open the 2018 season, as part of the Chick Fil A Kickoff Classic inside the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Head Coach Gus Malzahn says that he is honored to play in the traditional season-opening game and that playing in the game has many benefits. “Auburn has a great fan base in Atlanta and we’ve always had a big number of Georgia kids in our program. We appreciate the partnership we’ve had over the years with the great people at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.” When selecting who would play in the game, Chick Fil A Peach Bowl president and CEO Gary Stokan cites “tradition”. “As two of the top 20-winningest programs of all time, these teams represent the best in college football.” Stokan said of the decision, “It’s going to be a memorable start to the season and there is no better place to host this than in Atlanta, the capital of college football.” This will be the third time that Auburn will play in the Chick Fil A Kickoff Classic. They are 1-1, with a loss to Clemson in 2012, and a win over Louisville in 2015. This will be the first time that Washington, or any team from the Pac-12, will compete in the classic. Next season, Alabama will face Florida State to open the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium on September 2nd. Tennessee will also compete in the Chick Fil A Kickoff classic, when they battle the hometown Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets on Labor Day. Currently, both teams are ranked in the College Football Playoff top-10. Auburn is ranked 9th, while Washington is unbeaten, and on the outside looking in at number 5 in the polls. The meeting will be the first between Auburn and Washington on the gridiron.