Auburn’s Week 11 date with Samford looks like the softest spot on the 2026 schedule, but that doesn’t make it meaningless. With the Iron Bowl against Alabama looming in the regular-season finale, the Tigers will be using this one to keep bodies intact, keep the rhythm going and avoid any late-season damage.
The matchup comes at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, and history has tilted heavily toward the Tigers. Auburn has won every meeting in the series except one in 31 tries, and the lone non-loss was a tie in 1927. The most recent game came in 2023, when Auburn rolled 45-13.
Samford, meanwhile, is trying to climb out of a rough 2025. A 1-11 season led to a coaching change, and first-year head coach John Grass is now overseeing a full rebuild. Spring practice suggested the defense may be a little farther along than the offense, but the Bulldogs still have a lot of ground to cover after ranking among the worst FCS teams last season.
There are pieces to work with. Wide receiver Preston Bird returns as the offense’s top proven playmaker, giving Samford at least one established option. But this is still a young roster looking for consistency, and the program is only in the early stages of a reset.
Quarterback is the biggest question mark. Several players are still competing for the job after spring practice, and whoever wins it will be working behind an offense that is still coming together under a new staff. Gabbarri Johnson, who transferred from Oregon State, was injured during the spring game, adding another layer of uncertainty heading into fall camp.
Grass has overhauled the roster with transfers and freshmen while trying to build a more physical identity. Samford isn’t expected to contend this season, but this game late in the year should offer a useful snapshot of how far the rebuild has come.
For Auburn, though, the equation is simpler. This is the only FCS game on the schedule, and it stands as the least important matchup of the 12-game slate. The Tigers should handle it, then turn their attention to staying healthy for what comes next.
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Pearl has made clear he likes the identity his team is building, but he is still exploring ways to add talent if the right fit presents itself. Among the names Auburn is reportedly monitoring are Dan Skillings Jr. and Dug McDaniel, though both players are drawing attention from multiple programs, so the Tigers may have competition if they decide to push hard in this newly reopened market. [Read more 🡒]