Auburn vs. Baylor: Tigers Look to Make Statement in Season Opener

It’s gameday for the Auburn Tigers, and it’s a big one as they travel to Waco to take on the Baylor Bears. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. EST on Fox.

Auburn enters this matchup with high expectations, as this is the most talented roster Hugh Freeze has had in his three years on the Plains. One of the new additions, wide receiver Eric Singleton, isn’t fully healthy but is still expected to make an impact. Pairing him with Cam Coleman gives Auburn a clear advantage on the outside. Up front, the Tigers will roll out a new-look offensive line featuring two transfer tackles. With the combination of weapons outside and a stronger offensive line, Auburn should also be able to run the ball effectively against Baylor’s front seven.

On the defensive side, I don’t expect Auburn to have many problems, as this is a tough matchup for Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson. Robertson has struggled against the blitz and man coverage in the past, so you can expect the Tigers to be aggressive. That aggressive style of defense is what new coordinator DJ Durkin specializes in, and with the talent he has at cornerback, he can send more than four rushers at any time.

The question is whether those advantages will be enough. Auburn found ways to lose games in dramatic fashion throughout 2024, making it tough to fully trust the Tigers to avoid those same mistakes in 2025. That said, I think Hugh Freeze and company turn a corner this season and find ways to win instead of letting games slip away.

Final prediction: Auburn 27, Baylor 14.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments!