It’s hard to come to grips with where Auburn football currently resides in the SEC hierarchy. Almost nobody thinks of Kentucky, Ole Miss or Missouri as being on a higher plane than Auburn.

But the numbers don’t lie. Over their past16 conference games, the Tigers have won just twice, which is the same number of wins as Vanderbilt over the same stretch. Both of those Auburn wins were at Jordan-Hare Stadium, which still provides one of the most intense environments in the country, despite the struggles.

Now, Auburn faces a spot in the schedule that is tailor-made for a resurgence. Games against Mississippi State, Vanderbilt, Arkansas and New Mexico State are all winnable. A four-game winning streak would make the Tigers 7-3 headed into the Iron Bowl. Anything less will solidify Auburn as a program struggling to remain part of the SEC’s middle class.

On to the picks. Play along here.

Mississippi State at Auburn (-6.5): These two teams have combined for one SEC win this season, and it came when the Bulldogs scored only seven points last week at Arkansas. Auburn’s offensive struggles have overshadowed the fact that the defense has played fairly well. It’s time for that defense to lead the Tigers to another SEC win. Auburn may very well win this one convincingly. … Auburn 23-7. (Auburn to cover the spread).