Auburn Wire Roundtable, staff predictions for Auburn vs Baylor

Auburn Wire Roundtable, staff predictions for Auburn vs Baylor

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Auburn Wire Roundtable, staff predictions for Auburn vs Baylor

The Auburn Tigers will take the field this Saturday for the first time in 2026, which brings back an old staple on the site: the Auburn Wire Roundtable.

Each week during the 2026 season, the Auburn Wire staff will discuss the latest headlines and share personal predictions surrounding the Auburn Tigers and their upcoming opponents. This week, Auburn battles Baylor in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, which is one of two games featuring an SEC-Power Four clash in Week 1.

Taylor Jones, Phillip Jordan, and Jac Myrick discuss the return of college football, a key player to watch, and who wins the battle between Byrum Brown and DJ Lagway. Here is this week's Auburn Wire Roundtable ahead of Auburn's season-opener vs. Baylor.

How excited are you for college football to be back in our lives?

Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers safety Eric Winters (25) celebrates with defensive end Jared Smith (41) after sacking Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (not pictured) during the first quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

  • TJ: "I am excited to see how much the current landscape affects the game this fall, especially with the nine-game SEC schedule making its debut. Auburn plays its old "SEC West" slate as well as old rivals Tennessee and Florida, because of the format change, and I am ready to see those games rekindled. I will also be curious to see how the nine-game schedule affects the CFP selection committee's view of the SEC and how well a nine-game slate affects their CFP performance."
  • PJ: "I am glad we are finally getting games to talk about. This off-season has been filled with news about lawsuits and who is eligible to play in games. Hopefully the games will take center stage and the off-the-field stuff will get pushed to the side. It should be an exciting college football season in general, but there is plenty to look forward to with Auburn as well."
  • JM: "Could not be more excited to have the sport we all love back. The atmosphere around college football is like no other sport in North America. Now, myself and many others on the Plains get to see the product of Alex Golesh take the field in orange and blue for the first time."

Now that he has been on the job for nine months, what is your assessment of Alex Golesh?

Auburn Tigers football head coach Alex Golesh speaks during a press conference at Woltosz Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Monday, Dec. 8, 2025.

  • TJ: "I think Golesh has said and done many of the right things since taking over. From bringing the marching band into the meeting room to teach the players the fight song, to Victory Day, to showing up at other athletic events on campus, he has proven that he belongs here. Maybe the wins will quickly stack up for him, and he can truly turn the program around."
  • PJ: "I think he is setting a foundation for what Auburn should be. He is creating a standard for the program. It feels like Auburn has a real football coach, which is something they have not had in a long time. Glad he stays off the golf course. He gives Auburn a different attitude than the previous head coach did not bring."
  • JM: "He is the realest coach in all of college football. No coach speak, just true to who he is. Golesh makes it easy to love what he preaches and understands the culture of Auburn."

Saturday's game will feature a strong QB battle between Byrum Brown and DJ Lagway. Who has the edge?

Auburn Tigers quarterback Byrum Brown (17) warms up before Auburn Tigers A-Day spring game at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala. on Saturday, April 18, 2026.

  • TJ: "I like Byrum Brown in this one. Brown features far fewer questions, as he has proven to be a great dual-threat quarterback and has many familiar weapons around him. Lagway may be a great fit for Baylor, but I do not anticipate seeing him at a full comfort level on Saturday."
  • PJ: "Byrum Brown should have the edge in this matchup due to his ability and the supporting cast around him. DJ Lagway was a five-star recruit for a reason, but Baylor is having to replace their top running back, Bryson Washington (now with Auburn), and find some reliable receivers. The Baylor offensive line is questionable as well."
  • JM: "Clearly it is Byrum Brown. Say it’s bias all you want, but what has DJ Lagway done to deserve the right to be considered one of the top quarterbacks in the nation? Absolutely nothing; the man threw 14 interceptions last season."

Are there any "surprises" on the depth chart? Any players you hope to see get game time experience this week?

Auburn Tigers wide receiver Chas Nimrod (5) runs drills during practice at Woltosz Football Performance Center in Auburn, Ala. on Thursday, April 16, 2026.

  • TJ: "No surprises here, but I am excited to watch wide receiver Chas Nimrod in this offense. He missed most of last season due to an injury, but he appears to be making great strides and could be a sneaky weapon for the Tigers this season."
  • PJ: "I really am looking forward to seeing Champ Anthony getting to play at safety. He has made an impact when he has been on the field the last two seasons. The negative has been his injury issues. He could be a big-time player for Auburn if he stays healthy."
  • JM: "I wouldn’t say there are any big surprises for me on the depth chart heading into Saturday for me. I just hope we see a good community of running backs utilized throughout the game. You have them, so might as well use them."

In your opinion, what does Auburn need to do well to beat Baylor on Saturday?

Aug 29, 2025; Waco, Texas, USA; Auburn Tigers runningback Jeremiah Cobb (23) runs the ball against the Baylor Bears during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images

  • TJ: "Auburn needs to find what works offensively, and use it to their advantage. Auburn's defense will play well enough to win the game, which they usually do, but if Auburn can not establish a successful offensive formula, the game will be much closer than it needs to be."
  • PJ: "This ties into my difference maker, but they need to control the line of scrimmage with the run game. Baylor is weak on the defensive front, and a consistent effort in the run game should put the Tigers over 200 yards rushing. I am looking for a big performance from Cobb, Bryum Brown, and Bryson Washington."
  • JM: "Run the damn ball. Simple, and I think Golesh will do that."

Final score prediction, difference maker

Sep 27, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies running back Le'Veon Moss (8) runs the ball as Auburn Tigers linebacker Xavier Atkins (17) lunges for the tackle during the third quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

  • TJ:Auburn 31, Baylor 20. I expect Xavier Atkins to play a major role in Auburn slowing down Baylor's passing attack.
  • PJ:Auburn 38, Baylor 17. Jeremiah Cobb will be the difference-maker for me.
  • JM:Auburn 38, Baylor 20:  I believe it will be a score uglier than the actual game because I see the pressure getting to Lagway late in the game, causing turnovers and the Tigers capitalizing on that to run up the score. Overall, Auburn's talent is stronger than Baylor's; this is an SEC roster vs a Big 12 roster that lost big pieces in the offseason.

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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: Auburn Wire Roundtable, staff predictions for Auburn vs Baylor

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