Auburn and Baylor open their season on Friday, Sept. 5, and for the former, it's going to be the dawn of a new era.
Alex Golesh will take the sideline for the Tigers for the first time, as the program looks to recover from the beleaguered tenure of Hugh Freeze. Golesh, who went 23-15 with South Florida and won a pair of bowl games, will have a familiar face at quarterback: Byrum Brown, who started last season for the Bulls.
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For Baylor, while Dave Aranda will still be running the show, there will be a new face at quarterback. Florida transfer DJ Lagway will take the reins in what may be a make-or-break year for Aranda, who has gone 36-37 with the Bears and is a long way removed from
their Sugar Bowl win in 2021.
Last year, Auburn outlasted Baylor 38-24 to open the season. It will hope to get its season off to a similarly strong start — albeit with better results for the rest of the year.
Here's what to know to watch Auburn vs Baylor in Week 1:
Auburn vs Baylor picks, predictions, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Wednesday, Sept. 2
- Spread: Auburn (-7.5)
- Over/under: 58.5 points
- Moneyline: Auburn (-295) | Baylor (+240)
USA TODAY Prediction: Auburn 24, Baylor 17
This just doesn't feel like a game Baylor wins in the Dave Aranda era. While it's entirely possible Lagway comes out and inspires a spark for the Bears, Auburn gets the Golesh era off to a strong start with a win over another Power Four opponent.
Montgomery Advertiser Prediction: Auburn 38, Baylor 27
It remains to be seen just how full Auburn's hands will be with DJ Lagway leading Baylor's offense and a new coordinator orchestrating its defense, but Auburn knows what it has on its sideline, and certainly what it's trying to be.
Even with the uncertainties, Auburn should have a chance to kick off the Golesh era with a healthy win, beating a competent opponent away from home. Any other result would mark an upset, but if Auburn's well-ahead of schedule, it could find a momentum-building victory one week in.
What TV channel is Auburn vs Baylor on today?
- TV channel: ABC/Disney+
- Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
Auburn and Baylor football's 2026 season-opener will be broadcast nationally on ESPN, with a simulcast available on Disney+. Joe Tessitore (play-by-play) and Jesse Palmer (analyst) will be on the call, with Taylor McGregor reporting from the sidelines.
Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app, which requires a valid cable login to access, and Fubo, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
Stream Auburn vs Baylor with Fubo (free trial)
Baylor vs Auburn time today
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
- Start time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
Auburn and Baylor are scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Sept. 5 from Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Auburn vs Baylor prediction: Tigers outlast Bears to open Alex Golesh era
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