Game one of Alex Golesh's era is set to begin on Saturday against the Baylor Bears in the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta, Georgia.
Earlier this week, we examined five factors that could cause Auburn to struggle against the Bears. Today, we will have a more optimistic outlook on the game.
Though Auburn is in a rebuild year under new head coach Alex Golesh, game one still should heavily favor the Auburn Tigers on Saturday against the Baylor Bears. This has not been your typical rebuild in college football because the Tigers brought in an impressive transfer portal class, with quarterback Byrum Brown being the headliner.
The resources that Auburn athletics has make it an easier process to get back to a competitive program in the SEC compared to other
national programs. The missing piece is just a head coach, a man to go in and guide the program in the right way. That is something they did not have in the Hugh Freeze era and definitely not in the Bryan Harsin era.
Because of Golesh, many on the Plains have hope in this year's Tigers. Hope is a dangerous thing for SEC fans, but honestly there are plenty of reasons to have hope. Golesh is as real as it gets as a head coach in college football, not one to answer with coach speak. That personality trait showed up in the offseason in recruiting as the Tigers lit it up in June, landing multiple four-star recruits.
This weekend we get to now see the coaching side, most important part, of Golesh with his Tiger squad heading to Atlanta to take on the Bears in the Aflac Kickoff Game. Here are five reasons why Auburn and Alex Golesh will walk away with a win against Baylor.
Byrum Brown will make a statement
Let's start with the biggest reason and factor in the game that leans in the Tigers' favor. The quarterback play has been lackluster on the Plains since Bo Nix departed after the 2021 season. Now the Tigers have a guy in Byrum Brown, who makes it when the Tigers stack up against opponents where the quarterback is the stronger piece. Brown is a playmaker and a game changer. He finished last season leading the country in total touchdowns with 42. He will make the plays when Auburn needs it and will be a difference-maker all season long.
Baylor's defense is a liability
It's a new year in Waco, Texas, on defense, and the Bears need a refresh after an awful defense that they fielded in 2025. Last season, Baylor allowed nearly 400 yards a game and also made former Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold look amazing. Baylor brought in a new defensive coordinator, Joe Klanderman, to clean up that side of the ball. It's not going to be a quick turnaround for the Bears' defense. Golesh is going to flex his offensive genius against this defense.
DJ Lagway's turnover issues may not be resolved
Baylor brings in transfer Florida quarterback DJ Lagway. He's been a player with a ton of expectations, expectations that have not been met. Coming out of his freshman year, many in the media touted him as potentially the best quarterback in the SEC. Well, 14 interceptions; he is out at Florida, and he lands in Waco. I think his confidence took a hit, and I think it continues to decline going up against a top SEC defense in Auburn. Expect him to get careless with the ball late in the game.
Auburn's running back room
This room is stacked. You have the main starter Jeremiah Cobb, who should probably finish with 1,000 yards this season. Behind him are two starting caliber players in Omar Mabson II and Bryson Washington. This is where Auburn will control the clock and the pace of the ball game with effective running from this running back room that is deep.
Auburn's overall talent
Auburn is an SEC team, and with that comes SEC talent. I know SEC bias is a real thing, but this is a Big 12 team that wasn't great last season and lost key players like Sawyer Robertson. Auburn added players like Cody Sigler and DeShaun Womack on defense. The Tigers retain Xavier Atkins and Elijah Melendez, who will be causing nightmares for DJ Lagway in Atlanta all day.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Five reasons why Auburn football will beat Baylor in Week 1
