The Auburn Tigers are stepping into the 2026 season with a fresh face at the helm in first-year head coach Alex Golesh. While expectations might not be sky-high, that could be the perfect setting for Golesh to make his mark in the competitive landscape of the SEC.
Meanwhile, the spotlight is shining brightly on LSU Tigers' Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss Rebels' Pete Golding. According to FOX Sports analysts RJ Young and Laken Litman, these coaches are under significant pressure to deliver strong starts this fall.
Golding, taking over from Lane Kiffin, is already familiar with the challenges ahead, having stepped into the role during Ole Miss' recent College Football Playoff run. With Kiffin now at LSU, Golding's task is to navigate a tough schedule, including a crucial matchup against LSU in Oxford on September 19. A victory there could be key to maintaining fan support.
Kiffin, on the other hand, left Ole Miss after leading them to their first CFP appearance and an impressive season. Now at LSU, he's tasked with revitalizing a program that recently overhauled its leadership.
LSU has backed Kiffin with significant resources, assembling a top-tier transfer portal class featuring standout players like offensive tackle Jordan Seaton and quarterback Sam Leavitt. For Kiffin, anything less than a 4-0 start, including wins over Clemson and Ole Miss, isn't an option.
Ole Miss has focused on retaining talent and securing key transfers, while LSU has bolstered its roster with top recruits. These moves set the stage for intense competition, and any early stumbles by these teams could provide opportunities for Auburn to capitalize.
Golesh, despite the lower external expectations, faces his own set of pressures. He inherits a program with a strong internal drive to succeed. With offensive coordinator Joel Gordon and quarterback transfer Byrum Brown, along with several skilled players from USF, Golesh aims to build on the foundation laid in Tampa.
Auburn might not be predicted to dominate, but they’re poised to surprise under Golesh’s leadership. This could very well fuel the optimism of the ever-hopeful Auburn fan base, eager to see their team achieve unexpected victories in the 2026 season.