Auburn vs. Baylor: 5 Bold Predictions for Alex Golesh's Debut

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It's a big week for the Auburn Tigers as they get ready to kick off their 2026 season. 

With that, they also begin a brand-new era as Alex Golesh takes over as head coach. The team will begin their season in Atlanta in a neutral game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium against the Baylor Bears. 

This week, we partnered with Auburn Daily and asked their staff for some bold predictions for the opening game of the season. 

Brad Law, play-by-play announcer, Auburn Sports Network, Auburn Daily

"I think Auburn wants to establish the run, and I think they'll do that in volume. So, give me 45 rushing attempts by Auburn against Baylor. I think they'll run 75 plays. I think 45 of those are rushing attempts.

In the 38 games that Alex Golesh was the head coach at USF, they had 40 or more carries 20 times in 38 games. Over the last three years, they had 40 rushing attempts or more.

And so I think it's a heavy dose of the run. 45 attempts.

By the way, Auburn over the last three years had 10 games of 40 yards or more. Double the number for South Florida—40-plus rushing attempts.

You give me 45 rushes for Byrum Brown and the Auburn running backs against Baylor."

Daryll Dapprich, Auburn Daily. 

"I've been hearing a lot of rumors that Baylor is gonna line up in a 3-3-5 defensively, which means they'll be six in the box.

If Dave Aranda sticks to that and does not learn his lesson from last year, Auburn will have over 400 yards of offense, with 250 of those yards coming on the ground between Byron Brown and the running backs.

If that happens, it could be a bloodbath."

Zac Blackerby, Auburn Roundtable, Locked on Auburn, Auburn Daily. 

"I'll go with three turnovers forced by the Auburn defense. Early in the week, I said picks. I'm backing up just a little bit. I'm saying turnovers. So maybe a pick or two, especially if they get to Lagway early. And then, you know, they force a fumble. Boy, that'd be awesome."

Kyle Rush, Auburn Daily 

"My take is that Tristan Ti'a will throw a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. I think Auburn will have this thing in hand pretty well by the end of the third quarter. And Golesh is not gonna take his foot off the gas.

He's gonna wanna make a statement early and get Tristan Tia some actual game reps. And he'll have a touchdown in Mercedes-Benz on Saturday."

Christian Rauh, Auburn Roundtable, Auburn Daily 

I'll give you a bold prediction for each side of the football. First, I believe Auburn rushes for three touchdowns on the ground, all coming from different running backs. Jeremiah Cobb, Omar Mabson, and Bryson Washington. 

For defense, I'm going to go a little aggressive on the pass pressure and say Jared Smith gets three sacks against DJ Lagway in the Baylor Bears.

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