Auburn enters the Alex Golesh era with more optimism than it had under Hugh Freeze, and the opener against Baylor offers an immediate test of whether that confidence is justified. The Tigers are trying to move past three straight years without a winning record, a stretch that included a 6-5 finish in the shortened 2020 season as their last winning campaign.
The biggest reason for belief in Auburn starts with the new quarterback. Golesh brought Byrum Brown over from USF, and Brown arrives with a dual-threat profile that should fit quickly in the SEC.
Last season, he threw for 3,158 yards with 28 touchdowns and just five interceptions, then added 1,008 yards on the ground. That kind of production gives Auburn a ceiling it simply didn’t have a year ago.
He’ll be working alongside the Tigers’ lone returning offensive starter from last season, running back Jeremiah Cobb. Entering his senior year, Cobb was one of Auburn’s best players in 2025, rushing for 969 yards on 175 carries and averaging 5.5 yards per attempt. If he takes another step forward, Auburn’s offense should be in much better shape.
That combination could be a problem for Baylor. The Bears’ defense struggled badly last season, finishing 111th in Net EPA per play and 103rd in defensive success rate. Baylor did make a change by hiring Joe Klanderman as defensive coordinator, but the matchup still looks difficult on paper.
For all the uncertainty around a new coach and a new season, Auburn has the kind of backfield and quarterback pairing that can stress a defense. Brown and Cobb give the Tigers a real chance to hit the ground running in Week 1 against a Baylor unit that was one of the worst in the country last year.
In Other News...
Baylor Opens With A Familiar Threat Dave Aranda Knows Well
Bryson Washington gives Baylor an early-season reminder of just how quickly a familiar face can become a problem. The former Bears leading rusher transferred to Auburn and is expected to share the backfield with Jeremiah Cobb, setting up a matchup that puts Dave Aranda against a player he knows well and has already praised for his toughness and versatility.
Washingtons value is not limited to running between the tackles, either. His pass-catching ability and the new offensive regime at Auburn could shape how he is used, which only adds another layer for Baylor to sort through as it prepares for the opener. For Aranda and his staff, this is less about surprise and more about proving they can handle a threat whose skill set they already understand. [Read more 🡒]
Baylors First Depth Chart Leaves One Key Auburn Question Open
Baylors first official depth chart for the Auburn game gave an early look at how Dave Arandas roster is taking shape for the opener, and it confirmed a few notable starters right away. Asher Hale is set at right guard and Matthew Klopfenstein is listed at tight end, while the rest of the two-deep shows the usual blend of returning players and transfers that the Bears are counting on to settle in quickly.
Still, the chart left a few important battles unresolved, especially in spots that could matter once the game gets rolling. The third wide receiver job is still up for grabs between Jadon Porter and Drelon Miller, and the nose tackle competition between Hosea Wheeler and Jamaal Whyce Jr. remains open as well, keeping at least one key Auburn-related question from being answered just yet. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Is Banking On One Offseason Change To Fix A Major Problem
Baylors offseason conversation has centered on a familiar kind of fix: get faster, get stronger, and make the whole group function a little more cleanly together. Dave Aranda said during a recent media availability that those have been the priorities, and he pointed to Travion Barnes as a good example of both traits, praising his speed and leadership as the Bears try to build a tougher, more connected team.
Aranda also said the program has seen encouraging gains in speed and strength metrics compared with last year, which matters because the defense needs to be better against the run after last seasons numbers. Auburn is waiting as a strong early test, so the Bears offseason emphasis is already heading toward the kind of matchup that can show whether the changes are real. [Read more 🡒]