Auburn finally found the end zone, and it came the way the Tigers probably wanted it to: with Jeremiah Cobb taking over.
Cobb broke through with a 15-yard touchdown run late in the first half, giving Auburn a 10-0 lead over Baylor and handing the Tigers their first touchdown of the 2026 season. The score finished off a 5-play, 57-yard drive and gave Auburn some much-needed life after a slow start.
For most of the opening stretch, the offense had been stuck in neutral. Auburn managed only 43 yards across its first four drives, and its fifth possession showed some progress before ending with a Byrum Brown interception.
But on drive No. 6, the Tigers finally cracked Baylor’s defense. Facing a 3rd-and-8 near midfield, Auburn strung together back-to-back-to-back explosive plays before Cobb finished the job.
Cobb came into the season with plenty of expectations after rushing for 969 yards last year, even while playing in an Auburn offense that had its rough patches. The Tigers are counting on him again, and this was the kind of burst that reminded everyone why.
Auburn entered Saturday as a sizable betting favorite, with most books listing the Tigers at -7. The team also came in with some recent success against Baylor after winning in Waco last season. Still, Auburn’s 2025 season ended with disappointment in SEC play, which led to a coaching change in the offseason.
Saturday’s matchup also carried a perfectly even note in the series history: the all-time record between Auburn and Baylor was tied at 2-2-1 heading into the game.
In Other News...
Bryce Cain Is Forcing His Way Into Auburns Plans
Bryce Cain has gone from a name on the depth chart to someone Auburns staff is actively trying to get on the field more often. Head coach Alex Golesh said the Tigers plan to keep folding Cain into the game plan after a recent explosive play, and he pointed to the way Cain has handled special teams as part of the reason the coaches are taking a harder look at his role.
For a team still sorting out where its best pieces fit, that kind of production tends to travel. Cain has clearly done enough to earn more opportunities, and Auburn is now working through how to create them in the offense without losing what he already brings on special teams. The next step is less about whether he belongs in the mix and more about how quickly the Tigers can turn that into a bigger role. [Read more 🡒]
Auburns Injury Picture Up Front Just Got A Lot More Interesting
Auburns front was a major concern coming out of the season opener against Baylor, when four trench players went down and left the Tigers waiting on clarity during the early part of the week. Alex Golesh has now provided a much better read on the group, and it points to a healthier rotation heading into the matchup with Southern Mississippi, with the staff getting encouraging signs on both sides of the line.
Cole Skinner and Jacob Strand are expected to be available, and edge rusher Chris Murray is already confirmed healthy, which gives Auburn a stronger baseline up front than it had a few days ago. DaShawn Womack is still working through a lower-body injury and remains day-to-day, though there is at least a chance he could return to practice later in the week, leaving one final question for a unit that suddenly looks far less depleted. [Read more 🡒]
Alex Golesh Sent Auburn Fans An Early Message After Ugly Win
Alex Golesh spent the day after Auburns 17-16 win over Baylor putting the focus on the problems behind it, not the relief of escaping with a victory. The Auburn coach took responsibility for the offensive mistakes, including three interceptions from quarterback Byrum Brown, and said the standard has to be the same for him and the players. In a game that still counted as a win, Golesh made it clear the performance on that side of the ball was not close to where it needs to be.
Golesh pointed to the offenses lack of rhythm as a major issue and stressed that Auburn has to do a better job protecting the quarterback and running the football. It was an early message, but an important one, because ugly wins can hide problems only so long in a season. For Auburn, the concern is not just cleaning up turnovers, but making sure the offense finds something steadier before the next tight game forces the same questions again. [Read more 🡒]