A couple of counterpoints. First, I personally think schedule should be, by and large, factored out of preseason rankings. It normally isn't entirely, but for example, OSU and USC will not both be in the top 3 after they play one another. They're both in the top 3 now based (almost) solely on how good they're thought to be. Should be the same with Auburn. Second, I agree that 6-2, maybe even 7-1 in conference is not blatantly unfeasible for Auburn. It's also not blatantly unfeasible for PSU, or a number of other teams. But PSU's out of the top 25 altogether and Auburns #7. To me, they're looking pretty comparable now, just in terms of flat-out quality, and I might even give the edge to the Nits.
On a side note, I'd tend to agree with you on LSU, but reigning national champs, plus a very good overall run the past five years or so, has probably made them one of the handful of teams that is simply going to get the benefit of the doubt.
