Alex Golesh's Tigers marched up to Rocky Top and left with one of the most depressing defeats possible, a lifeless 24-14 loss to Tennessee that saw the Volunteers awaken after a critical quarterback switch.
Josh Heupel was quick to yank true freshman Faizon Brandon in the first half and successfully place George MacIntyre into the fray. MacIntyre played the game manager role perfectly, allowing DeSean Bishop to torch Auburn for 220 rushing yards and three touchdowns.
This loss proves that there are troubling trends that are seemingly set to undo the 2026 season on the Plains without great and imminent improvement.
It wasn't all bad, but it mostly was. Here are the two winners and three losers from this game.
Loser: Tight end Jonathan Echols
In the span of a few minutes during the third quarter, Jonathan Echols had bad plays in the passing game and in pass protection.
Echols dropped an eight-yard pass, which could've turned into a lot more with so much field ahead of him had he just hauled it in. Then, he allowed DeJaun Lane to get to Brown in the pocket with minimal resistance.
Tight end is still a major sore spot for this team, in both run protection and pass protection.
Loser: Defensive coordinator DJ Durkin
So elite running backs could do as they please against the Tigers? Sweet.
This is the second time Auburn has been run all over this season. Florida's Jadan Baugh had 162 yards and three touchdowns against the Tigers at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Week 3.
$2.7 million for this product is a lot. DJ Durkin needs to improve this over the bye week, or else risk having Georgia give this program hell in Week 7 and put him on a scorching hot seat.
Winner: Running back Omar Mabson
Omar Mabson's 6.2 yards per carry against Tennessee on Saturday, behind this offensive line, is pretty impressive.
The Auburn High School product is carving out a nice niche in the running back room this season.
Loser: Quarterback Byrum Brown
There were calls to remove Byrum Brown from the QB1 spot during the loss on social media. It was frankly tempting after watching the Volunteers pull their signal-caller switch off so successfully.
Brown had two interceptions but finally showed life on the ground, with 107 rushing yards and a touchdown with his legs.
Why isn't Brown scrambling from the pocket more? It's not like there's even much of a pocket to speak of, anyway. Brown's inability to generate sustained drives against SEC competition is officially a problem.
Is Tristan Ti'a the answer? You have to consider it if Brown and this roster are going nowhere fast in his final season of eligibility.
Winner: Receiver Keshaun Singleton
Keshaun Singleton took a definitive team lead this season in catches and receiving yards with a seven-reception, 57-yard effort against UT.
Singleton is doing all he can to stand out. It's not easy, given how scarce the opportunities are for Brown in the pocket. Brown was sacked four times in Week 5 after being sacked 14 times through the first four games.
Add us as a preferred source on Google