Week 1 against Baylor will serve as Auburn's first real test under Alex Golesh. With Byrum Brown making his Tigers debut and former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway leading the Bears, the season opener in Atlanta could offer an early glimpse into Auburn's ceiling in 2026.
The Auburn Tigers football season can't come soon enough.
As exciting as the offseason has been on the Plains with the arrival of Alex Golesh as head coach, multiple big time transfers from the portal, and the momentum growing from the upcoming 2027 recruiting class, nothing beats the opening kickoff.
As we patiently wait for September 5th to roll around, Auburn Roundtable has launched an Offseason Opponent Preview for the Tigers upcoming season. Over the next few weeks, we will break down each one of Auburn's games on the schedule.
Let's get to it.
Week 1: September 5th, 2026, 2:30 PM CT.
Auburn vs. Baylor (Aflac Kickoff)
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
This will be the first time Alex Golesh will be able to show everyone what he is made of as he takes the step up from the American Conference to the SEC. His first opponent will be at a "neutral" site against a Big 12 team, the Baylor Bears. This will complete the agreement with Baylor in a home-and-home series.
It will also be the first time a good number of newcomers will have a chance to show off their talents at the power conference level. Golesh brought many players with him in the transition from USF to Auburn, including Quarterback Byrum Brown.
Past History with Baylor: Auburn defeated the Bears in 2025 when the Tigers traveled to Waco, 38-24. They have played 5 times over the history of each program, dating back to 1954. Auburn is 2-2-1 against them all-time.
Baylor Snapshot: The Baylor Bears will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing season in 2025. The team finished with a 5-7 record and missed a bowl game after losing their home opener to the Tigers.
Key Matchups: After Auburn ran all over Baylor last year, it will certainly be interesting to see how Byrum Brown plays in his first game inside a Tigers uniform. Brown rushed for 1,008 yards last season, including 6 times when he surpassed 100 yards in a single game.
Former Florida quarterback DJ Lagway takes over as the signal caller for Baylor, and will be looking for a bounce back season inside the Big 12. Despite playing two seasons inside the SEC, it will be the first time he will face a DJ Durkin led defense. Definitely not something to take lightly, especially in his first game inside a new program.
Interesting Storyline to Watch: Bryson Washington will see both sides of this home-and-home series after transferring to Auburn this past offseason. In last year's loss to the Tigers, Washington rushed for 54 of the 64 yards allowed by the Auburn defense. Heading into fall camp, it will certainly be something to watch where he lands on the depth chart and if he can make a big contribution early in the season.
Game Importance Ranking: When considering the 12-game schedule as a whole, this feels like the 3rd most important game of the season, and if you argued for a higher ranking, I wouldn't blame you. This is the first true test for Alex Golesh and his first impression on the Auburn faithful of what the next few years might look like. There are a few in conference games, I believe, that carry more weight, but this one is not far behind.
What's Next: The Auburn Tigers will play a true home game the following week as they continue their nonconference slate and host Southern Miss at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
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