Week 4 brings Auburn right back to the spotlight, and this one carries a different feel after the Tigers’ 42-39 loss to Florida. Homecoming is here on the Plains, Vanderbilt is in town, and the Commodores have given Auburn problems in recent seasons. So the big question hanging over the matchup is simple: does Auburn get back on track, or is this the kind of game that starts telling a bigger story about what’s ahead?
That was the backdrop for this week’s Auburn Weekly Roundtable, which also featured Darrell Dapprich, the Montgomery radio veteran who is part of the Locked on Auburn and Auburn Daily teams.
The first conversation centered on panic level after Auburn’s first loss of the season. Christian Rauh landed at a 6, saying, "Its the first loss of the Golesh era, but the defense showed significant problems."
Zac pointed straight at the defensive issues, adding, "Auburn’s defense must get better. Sadly, third and Durkin is becoming a thing."
Christian was even blunter about the tackling, saying, "The defense is not where we need it to be. 24 missed tackles is completely unacceptable."
Trey’s concern was on the ground game. He said he was surprised by how little Auburn leaned on its running backs against Florida.
Cobb and Washington combined for 12 carries and 40 rushing yards, while Brown had 18 carries for 65 yards and a touchdown. Trey said he would expect more work for Cobb, Washington, and Mabson this week.
When the discussion shifted to Vanderbilt, the group kept circling back to the quarterback spot. Zac said, "I think everything about Vanderbilt has to do with their quarterback.
Curious to see how he does against Auburn’s defense." Christian’s answer was, "Has to be Jared Curtis.
He had a good game vs. NC State."
Trey pointed to Junior Sherrill as a key piece for the Commodores, noting that he has become a go-to target this season and had his best game yet against NC State with 6 receptions, 108 yards, and 2 TDs. Trey also suggested Vanderbilt may move him around to find weak spots in Auburn’s secondary and give Jared Curtis a security blanket.
There was also some disagreement on the player who could decide things for Vanderbilt. Zac and Christian both went with Byrum Brown, while Trey stuck with Jared Curtis, saying Auburn’s heavier use of its trio of running backs could cut into Brown’s rushing totals.
On the Auburn side, Zac wanted to see "any defensive back that wants to step up and make some plays." Trey said Auburn’s edge rushers need to create more pressure to force Jared Curtis into throws that can turn into turnovers.
The offensive checklist was clear. Zac said Auburn needs to get off the field on third down defensively and stay on the field on third down offensively.
Christian echoed that with, "Have rhythm. Get off the field on 3rd downs."
Trey’s version was shorter: "Run. The.
Ball." He added that Auburn should establish the run early, stay patient with it, and use it to open up play-action passing.
The roundtable also included some concrete predictions for how Auburn can win. Zac said, "Auburn turns the ball over zero times."
Christian went with, "Auburn scores on first three possessions." Trey predicted a bigger day through the air, saying two receivers will top the 100-yard mark because Vanderbilt allowed almost 300 passing yards to NC State, and he believes Brown can hit some deep throws that pad the numbers for his wideouts.
For winner of the week, the group highlighted former Auburn golfer Jackson Koivun. Zac noted that Koivun went -6 and tied for fifth at the Biltmore Championship, and Christian added that Koivun had a strong weekend and is set to play in the Presidents Cup.
As for the game itself, Christian picked Auburn 34, Vanderbilt 27. Trey said Vanderbilt has had Auburn’s number in recent years, but argued that if Alex Golesh’s team wants to reach the level it’s aiming for, it has to win home games against similar competition.
He said Auburn can win big if it forces Curtis to become one-dimensional and make bad decisions, and he expects a close first half before Cobb, Mabson, and Washington help the Tigers pull away for Auburn’s first SEC home win since 2024. Trey’s final score: Auburn 31, Vanderbilt 17.
In Other News...
Auburn Fans Wont Love How Alex Golesh Framed The Vanderbilt Game
Auburn is still trying to find its footing in the SEC, and Alex Golesh is approaching Week 4 like a coach focused on the long view rather than a single alarm bell. He said the matchup with Vanderbilt is not a must-win, instead stressing preparation, consistency and the process of building the program the right way. Golesh also pointed to the Tigers recent defensive issues as an area that has to improve if this team is going to settle in and compete the way it wants to.
That framing may not sit well with a fan base that is already anxious about the early-season picture, especially with Vanderbilt entering unbeaten and working with a new starting quarterback. Auburn does not have the luxury of ignoring the stakes in conference play, and the game offers another test of whether the Tigers can tighten up on defense and show real progress in a league that rarely gives anyone much room to breathe. [Read more 🡒]
Byrum Brown Is Fueling Auburns Biggest Early Season Debate
Byrum Brown has quickly become one of the biggest reasons Auburn has stayed interesting through the first few weeks of the season. Entering Week 4, he ranks fourth in the SEC in passing yards with 756, while also adding 180 yards on the ground, and his production has come with a little bit of everything attached. He has thrown five touchdowns and four interceptions, and Auburn has leaned on a receiving group that includes transfers from USF and a true freshman as it tries to sort out its offensive identity.
The bigger question around Brown is how much of Auburns early offense should run through him while the rushing attack continues to struggle. He has already delivered in key moments, including a notable game against Florida in which he accounted for multiple touchdowns, and that kind of playmaking can change how the Tigers approach every week. For Auburn, the debate now is not whether Brown matters, but how far his arm and legs can carry an offense still looking for more balance. [Read more 🡒]
Alabama Fans Need To See Which In-State Standouts Are Taking Off
Karlos Mays rise is another reminder that Alabamas best high school talent is already drawing national attention, and Auburn fans have plenty of reason to keep tabs on it. The defensive lineman, committed to Ohio State, is ranked as the No. 4 prospect in the state and the top-ranked lineman recruit in Alabama, putting him right at the center of the in-state conversation even as the next recruiting cycle starts to take shape.
There is also a broader pattern worth watching from last years top Alabama names once they got to college, with CD Morgan, EJ Crowell and DeShawn Spencer all beginning to show signs of early impact. Spencers path is especially relevant on the Plains, since Auburn coach Alex Golesh played a role in recruiting him, another small reminder that the states high-end talent is already linked back to Auburn in more ways than one. [Read more 🡒]