Auburn's much-delayed 2011 football schedule, which was finally released this week, was much delayed because the SEC asked Auburn to move its open date before the Alabama game, and the Tigers complied. That's how we kick off Thursday's Inside Auburn newspaper story on the 2011 schedule. Much of it was posted Wednesday, but the top of it is news. Here's the newspaper version:

AUBURN -- Auburn is being a good teammate in the SEC this season.

At the league's request, the Tigers moved their previously scheduled open date before the Alabama game, and the domino effect, plus other schedule movement, means two significant changes late in the 2011 season for Auburn.

For the first time since 1963, the Tigers won't play Georgia and Alabama in back-to-back games; Auburn slipped in Samford to split them up.

Also, the change means AU's open date will fall before Georgia and not before Alabama. The SEC sought changes because six league teams enjoyed open dates before playing the Crimson Tide last season. Auburn agreed to work with the league, switching where Samford fell on the schedule.

The changes should benefit the Tigers the most in a schedule that features most of the tough games on the road -- including a four-game swing at South Carolina, at Arkansas, home against Florida and at LSU.

That's tough.

But Auburn gets an earlier break this season, after Game 9 instead of Game 11 like the last two years, and won't have the physical and mental strain of playing Georgia and Alabama on back-to-back weekends.

The Iron Bowl -- back to a Saturday this season -- will highlight the home schedule on Nov. 26.

Let's break the season up in four quarters to get a feel for what to expect:

Sept. 3 Utah State, Sept. 10 Mississippi State, Sept. 17 at Clemson:

Auburn's new offensive line and new starting quarterback will get a chance to find a rhythm against Utah State (4-8) in the season opener.

The Tigers struggled at Mississippi State last season in Game 2 before they figured out what Cam Newton could do. Now they'll hope to have the answers with Barrett Trotter, or whoever, calling the shots.

The first road game, at Clemson, figures to be tough, although both teams will be breaking in new quarterbacks.

Sept. 24 Florida Atlantic, Oct. 1 at South Carolina, Oct. 8 at Arkansas:

This is perhaps the toughest third of the season because of consecutive road games at South Carolina and Arkansas. Look for a shootout in Fayetteville with Gus Malzahn and Bobby Petrino calling the shots.

Oct. 15 Florida, Oct. 22 at LSU, Oct. 29 Ole Miss:

Florida rolls back on the schedule, so look for a lot of stories on former Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, the new coach in Gainesville. There's always a transition period, but the Gators will be tougher than they were in a disappointing 2010.

The LSU game will be crazy because it always is, regardless of the site. But Auburn hasn't won in Baton Rouge since 1999. If you have only a passing interest, tune in for the final 10 seconds -- when the game will be decided.

Ole Miss finished last in the SEC West last season, and has a ways to go to challenge for the top.

Nov. 12 at Georgia, Nov. 19 Samford, Nov. 26 Alabama:

The bottom of the schedule is always tough for Auburn because of Georgia and Alabama, but at least Samford is splitting them up as the homecoming opponent.

Georgia is touting its "Dream Team" recruiting class. If they're that good, they'll be contributing by this game.

Alabama will start the season ranked higher than Auburn. We'll see how they sit coming into this one.