SEATTLE -- Dinged by the College Football Playoff committee for a weak non-conference schedule this season, Washington improved its 2018 out of conference schedule by opening the season in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game against Auburn.

The game is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018 with the venue a brand new $1.5 billion dollar Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. ESPN will air the game and bring Washington to the national stage as the Huskies continue to grow under Chris Petersen.

"We are thrilled to welcome Washington and the Pac-12 to the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, as well as the opportunity to host Auburn for a third time," Gary Stokan, Peach Bowl, Inc. president and CEO said in a press release Thursday. “As two of the top 20-winningest programs of all time, these teams represent the best in college football. 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.”

Washington has never faced Auburn in the programs over 100-year history and just recently arrived back in the spotlight, currently ranked No.5 in the CFB Playoff rankings released this week.

Auburn athletic director Jay Jacobs acknowledged the Huskies legitimacy, having last played a Southeastern Conference opponent in 2012 (at LSU) in Steve Sarkisian's fourth season. The Tigers defeated UW 41-3, a game that even on the road was not competitive from the opening kickoff.

Washington last hosted an SEC team in 2009 when the same Tigers came to Husky Stadium for Sarkisian's first-year on the job.

“Our student-athletes love big games on big stages," Jacobs said in the press release. "And playing a quality opponent like Washington in this new stadium at such a prestigious event will be a great experience. Since our goal every year is to get to Atlanta and compete for a championship, I also like the opportunity for our team to play there early in the season."

UW athletic director Jennifer Cohen echoed a similar message, noting the chance for Husky fans to make the long trip down to show the support for the program.

“The trip will provide an exciting opportunity for our student-athletes to compete on a national stage inside a first-class venue, and should be a fun trip for a great number of Husky faithful."

As a result, Washington will push its game against North Dakota to Sept. 8, 2018, and move their matchup with Nevada to another year. The Huskies would have had to pay $1 million in a buyout for the game against North Dakota.

The Huskies now have Auburn, Michigan and BYU as its best non-conference opponents for the coming years, mixed in with the likes of Montana, Hawaii and Eastern Washington.

UW 2017 Non-Conference Schedule:

@ Rutgers Sept. 2, 2017, vs Montana Sept. 9, 2017 and vs Fresno State Sept. 16.

UW 2018 Non-Conference Schedule:

Neutral vs Auburn Sept. 1, 2018, vs North Dakota Sept. 8, 2018 and vs BYU Sept. 29, 2018.

UW 2019 Non-Conference Schedule:

Vs Eastern Washington Aug. 31, 2019, vs Hawaii Sept. 14, 2019 and @ BYU Sept. 21, 2019.

UW 2020 Non-Conference Schedule:

Vs Michigan Sept. 5, 2020, vs Sacramento State University Sept. 12, 2020 and OPEN