Auburn and Baylor are walking into Week 1 with plenty to sort out, and both sides know it. That’s the vibe coming out of Monday’s media availability, where Auburn coach Alex Golesh and Baylor coach Dave Aranda each made it clear they have real respect for the other side.
Golesh called it “a unique challenge in a lot of ways,” pointing to all the unfamiliar pieces both teams are carrying into the opener. “Got a ton of respect for Coach [Dave] Aranda and what he’s done… there’s a lot of new there, a lot to prepare for, a lot of challenges that are presented, simply with as much newness as you’re getting ready for. They’re obviously in the same boat, there’s a ton of newness they’re preparing for, so it should be a really good matchup.”
Aranda, asked about Golesh on Monday as well, responded in the same spirit, offering only respect and admiration for what Golesh has accomplished.
That mutual respect makes sense when you look at what both programs are bringing into this game. Golesh comes over after coaching USF to one of the fastest offenses in college football last season, and he’s bringing that up-tempo philosophy with him to Auburn in his first year there. Baylor, for its part, is also trying to play fast and put pressure on opponents with pace this season.
The wrinkle is that these are not the same teams that met last year in Waco, Texas. Not even close.
Baylor’s defense, which gave up more than 300 rushing yards to Auburn a season ago, has been overhauled. On offense, the Bears are dealing with major changes too: DJ Lagway is in at quarterback instead of Sawyer Robertson, Michael Trigg is no longer there as the top check-down tight end, and Bryson Washington has moved to the other sideline.
There’s also a new group of receivers coming in through the transfer portal, plus an offensive line that returns only one starter from last season. That’s a lot of turnover for any team, and it leaves Baylor looking very different from the group Auburn saw a year ago.
Auburn has its own reshuffling to manage. Bynum Brown is now at quarterback, and Golesh is in charge after leaving USF. There are still returning starters on both sides, but this opener is shaping up as a fresh look for both programs.
And yes, Bryson Washington will be on the other side this time. He spent last season in Baylor’s backfield, but now he’ll line up as an opponent. When asked about that recently, Washington kept it simple: it’s “just another game.”
Washington, along with Caden Knighten and Michael Turner, carried much of Baylor’s rushing load last season after Dawson Pendergrass’ preseason foot injury ended his year before it started.
In Other News...
Baylors Big 12 Standing Looks Murkier Than Fans Might Expect
When Baylors roster is stacked up against the rest of the Power 4, the picture is more complicated than a quick glance at the Big 12 standings would suggest. The Bears sit 55th in career starts, 33rd in career snaps and 9th in career games played among those teams, a spread that hints at a group with some accumulated mileage even if it does not yet look dominant in the most eye-catching category.
The broader comparison also shows how deep the Big 12 runs in experience, with teams such as Oklahoma State and Texas Tech showing up near the top of these measures. For Baylor, that kind of profile matters because it suggests the roster has been through enough snaps and game situations to matter, even if the conference hierarchy still looks unsettled on paper. [Read more 🡒]
Baylors Big Three Still Belong In A National Power Debate
Since 2011, Baylor has been part of a small and unusual conversation that says as much about institutional strength as it does about any single sport. Connecticut has piled up the most combined wins across mens basketball, womens basketball and football, but the Bears have stayed right there in the picture, and their overall win percentage has actually been better. For a school that has seen elite moments in all three programs, thats a reminder that Baylors profile has been built on more than one good run.
The football side has provided some of the biggest swings, from a Big 12 championship to a Sugar Bowl victory, even as recent struggles have put Dave Aranda under pressure. The basketball programs have carried plenty of weight too, with both the men and women winning NCAA titles and keeping Baylor in national conversations that go beyond one season or one roster. The current results have been uneven, but the broader argument remains the same: Baylor still belongs in the discussion of the nations most powerful all-around athletic departments. [Read more 🡒]
Baylor Volleyball Just Gave Fans More Reasons To Pack The Ferrell
Baylor volleyball is already laying the groundwork for next falls atmosphere at the Ferrell Center, rolling out a 2026 home promotions schedule designed to make every match feel like more than just a match. The slate mixes themed nights, fan giveaways, special recognitions and family-friendly activities, with familiar staples like Opening Night, Gold Rush, Baylor Classic, Fairytale at the Ferrell, Dig Pink and Blackout on the Brazos all part of the plan.
There is also a clear push to turn home dates into full-event experiences, from Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations to Espresso and Aces and Faith and Family Night, along with discounted tickets, encouraged themed attire and chances for fans to meet the team and get autographs. For a program trying to keep the Ferrell loud and full, the message is obvious: Baylor wants its home floor to feel like an appointment, not just a stop on the schedule. [Read more 🡒]