Football season may be seven months away, but that doesn't mean its too early for schedule predictions, right?
I understand that the 2026-27 college football season will not begin for months. However, I am too interested in the new era that Auburn football is heading into and I want to briefly take a break from basketball coverage to talk about it.
Auburn will have an interesting slate in 2026, and Alex Golesh will have a lot to chew during his first season at the helm of the program.
This is how I see Auburn faring in the first season of the Golesh era:
Vs. Baylor, Sept. 5 (Atlanta): W, 27-24 (1-0)
I think Auburn survives a thriller to get the season off to a 1-0 start and sweep the "home-and-home" against the Bears. I could see some growing pains early, but I believe the Tigers ultimate find a way to get the job done.
Vs. Southern Miss, Sept. 12: W, 45-7 (2-0)
I don't think there's much to say about this one.
Vs. Florida, Sept. 19: W, 20-17 (3-0, 1-0 SEC)
The Gators may have been victorious over the Tigers in the John Summrall sweepstakes, but I think Auburn gets its payback with a tight win to open SEC play.
Vs. Vanderbilt, Sept. 26: W, 28-17 (4-0, 2-0 SEC)
I don't anticipate Vanderbilt's recent winning ways continuing without Diego Pavia, and I think the Tigers will put that on display by getting into the win column against the Commodores.
At Tennessee, Oct. 3: L, 24-20 (4-1, 2-1 SEC)
Auburn left Knoxville victorious the last time it played up there, but the Volunteers are going to be at a different level than the Tigers this season, and I see Auburn's undefeated start ending in Neyland Stadium.
At Georgia, Oct. 17: L, 35-17 (4-2, 2-2 SEC)
Auburn has the benefit of coming into this one off a bye week, but I don't think it'll make a difference and its losing streak against the Bulldogs will continue.
Vs. LSU, Oct. 24: L, 31-23 (4-3, 2-3 SEC)
I expect LSU to be firing on all cylinders under Lane Kiffin at this point, and I see Auburn dropping its third-consecutive game.
At Ole Miss, Oct. 31: W, 38-28 (5-3, 3-3 SEC)
I don't think Pete Golding will work out in Oxford and I think Auburn snaps the three-game skid here on Halloween.
Vs Arkansas, Nov. 7: W, 42-10 (6-3, 4-3 SEC)
I think Auburn handles business against an Arkansas squad I expect to struggle next season and it punches its ticket to a bowl game for the first time since 2023.
At Mississippi State, Nov. 14: W, 38-17 (7-3, 5-3 SEC)
I don't expect the Bulldogs to be very good in 2026, and I think Auburn will pick up the victory that secures its first winning season since 2020 against them.
Vs Samford, Nov. 21: W, 49-6 (8-3, 5-3 SEC)
I think some future contributors for the Tigers will have the chance to show their skills in this one.
At Alabama, Nov. 28: L, 30-23 (8-4, 5-4 SEC)
I think Alabama takes a step back in 2026, but I still don't see Auburn breaking its Iron Bowl losing streak in Bryant-Denny Stadium.