3 things Bryan Harsin must do at Auburn in 2022 season

It's only been one full year, but the Bryan Harsin experience at Auburn has been anything but ordinary.

A fast 2-0 start, some bad losses down the stretch, an apparent coup attempt by football boosters to oust him this offseason, many former players speaking out openly against the coach, and an internal investigation into their claims.

It's been anything but boring.

But there will be a Year 2 after all. Auburn decided to keep Harsin on for the 2022 season to see what he can do with this roster. What does he have to do to earn a third season on The Plains?

Let's go three-and-out to see what Harsin must do on The Plains to keep his job and get the Tigers back into contention

Bryan Harsin at Auburn: What to do in '22

1. Prove himself to recruits

You don't need a PhD in recruiting to know that prospects aren't exactly waiting to hear from Bryan Harsin and Auburn.

Recruiting in the state of Alabama and in the Southeast is already a war of attrition for SEC programs. And with the likes of Georgia, Clemson, Florida, and Alabama always aggressive in this space, Harsin and Auburn were already well behind in these battles.

Having players speak openly about not liking Harsin or how he coaches isn't going to help his case on the trail. Neither will the apparent threat of being fired still over Harsin's head this season, one that other coaches will certainly remind prospects of.

Recruiting and acquiring talent is the foundation of any college football program. Harsin's first class was Auburn's lowest ranked (No. 19) in over a decade, and the school didn't sign any prospects on National Signing Day.

Add to that several reports that Harsin has not yet forged enough close relationships with high school coaches in Alabama, and it's clear that he and Auburn are facing an uphill battle.

2. Find a quarterback

For the first time in four years, Bo Nix won't be wearing an Auburn uniform. The quarterback transferred to Oregon this offseason to play for Dan Lanning and the Ducks.

Where does that leave Harsin and the Tigers? Former LSU quarterback TJ Finley stepped up last season after Nix's injury, but didn't play up to par in games against South Carolina, Alabama, or in the bowl game against Houston.

Zach Calzada comes in as a transfer from Texas A&M, where he started a year ago, including in a win over Auburn. He had over 2,100 yards passing in 2021, but didn't impress in SEC play, finishing just a 56 percent passer with 17 TDs and nine picks.

Robby Ashford will get some reps after coming over from Oregon as a transfer. A redshirt freshman last season, Ashford also played baseball at Oregon, finishing with a .200 average in 20 games.

Harsin clearly has options at quarterback, but none are anything like guarantees. Plus, it doesn't help that 18 players have transferred out, including top receiver Kobe Hudson and would-be top 2022 target Ja'Varrius Johnson.

3. Finish above .500

Going 6-7 at Auburn, even if it's your first year, is not acceptable, so Harsin was coming in under serious pressure even without the whole offseason circus surrounding his job.

Going into 2022, things aren't looking much better. Auburn is facing the No. 3 hardest schedule in college football, and it's hard to see this team coming out much better on the other side this fall.

Auburn hosts Penn State and LSU early on before road trips to Georgia and Ole Miss. There's a three-week stretch with Arkansas, Texas A&M, and at Mississippi State before the Iron Bowl in Tuscaloosa.

Games against Mercer, San Jose State, and Western Kentucky are the only sure things on Auburn's schedule in 2022. And conceivably losing every SEC game on this slate — with the possible exception of Missouri or Mississippi State — is not out of the question.

If so, Auburn may decide an estimated $15 million buyout is worth it and start this process all over again.

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