Auburn is heading into its matchup with Mississippi State in noticeably better shape than it was a week ago.
The Tigers were banged up going into last week’s game against Arkansas, but Wednesday night’s initial availability report brought a much more encouraging picture for Alex Golesh’s group. It’s still a report that can change, but the early signs point toward Auburn getting several key pieces back.
Jeremiah Koger, who sat out last week, is now active for the Bulldogs game. That gives Byrum Brown another proven target after a passing attack that had leaned heavily on Chas Nimrod and Keshaun Singleton.
The secondary also gets a boost. Cornerback Andre Jordan, Jr. and safety Sylvester Smith-Reed are both fully active after missing the Arkansas game, which should help Auburn match up with a Mississippi State passing offense that figures to test them.
There’s still one notable absence on defense. Bryce Deas remains out, and that won’t change this season after Alex Golesh said he had undergone season-ending surgery.
But there is better news at linebacker, where Elijah Melendez is fully clear after dealing with what looked like an ankle injury against the Razorbacks. De’Marcus Riddick, who had to leave for the locker room in last week’s game, is listed as questionable with hopes to return.
Auburn also gets some movement up front. Offensive lineman Tai Buster, who has been inactive since the start of the season, is finally off the injury report. The Tigers have mixed and matched on the offensive line all year, and Buster could see some snaps, though Golesh is more likely to work him in next week against Samford.
Mississippi State’s report is a different story. The Bulldogs have six players ruled out for Saturday’s game in Starkville, including star quarterback Kamario Taylor.
Two important defensive names, edge rusher Amaree Williams and linebacker Tyler Lockhart, are listed as probable. Both rank among Mississippi State’s top five tacklers, and if either is limited or unavailable, Auburn’s offense should have a much easier path.
The Tigers and Bulldogs meet Saturday at 11:00 a.m. CT in Starkville, Miss. The game will air on ESPN2.
In Other News...
Auburn Walks Into Starkville With Mississippi State Fans Checking Out
Saturdays trip to Davis Wade Stadium arrives with a different kind of buzz around Starkville, and not much of it is good for the home side. Mississippi States final SEC home game of the season is set for 11 a.m. CT, but the market around the matchup has cooled sharply, with secondary-ticket prices falling well below where they were earlier in the year as the Bulldogs recent losing streak has taken a toll on demand.
For Auburn, it is a chance to walk into a venue where the Tigers have generally done well and do it with Alex Golesh making his first visit to Starkville as head coach. The setting still matters, especially with an SEC road game on the schedule, but the atmosphere around this one suggests a fan base more resigned than energized as the home slate winds down. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Recruiting Momentum Now Faces Its Biggest Test Before December
Auburns recruiting run picked up another jolt this week with the addition of four-star offensive lineman Jatori Williams, a win that gives the Tigers more traction in their 2027 class and a little more credibility on the trail. Williams had previously been committed to Alabama and Miami before choosing Auburn over Georgia and Florida State, a reminder that the Tigers are still capable of landing prized prospects in a crowded regional battle.
The commitment also nudged Auburns class up to No. 11 nationally with 23 recruits, but the real challenge is still ahead. Coach Alex Golesh has made it clear that keeping in-state talent home matters, and the next stretch will be about holding that momentum through the early signing period in December, when the work of building a class can change fast. [Read more 🡒]
Auburn Just Sent A Strong Message About Keeping Alabama Talent Home
Auburn added an important piece to its 2027 recruiting class with the commitment of four-star offensive lineman Jatori Williams, a prospect who has already been through the kind of recruiting tug-of-war that turns heads across the SEC. Williams, one of the top interior line prospects in the country and a highly regarded player in Alabama, had previously been committed to both Alabama and Miami before landing with the Tigers, giving Auburn a notable win on the trail and a clear sign it wants to make in-state recruiting a priority.
For coach Alex Golesh, the move fits the bigger message he has been stressing about keeping Alabama talent home and building a class with a strong foundation. Landing a player like Williams does more than add size and upside up front, it helps Auburn show it can compete for the best prospects in its own backyard, even when the biggest rivals are involved. [Read more 🡒]