Hugh Freeze is familiar with what a Group of Five team can do when they face a Power 4 school on the road. The Auburn head coach took Liberty into Virginia Tech and shocked the Hokies in 2020, while also leading the Flames to a thrilling victory at Arkansas in 2022.
There was also the embarrassing 2023 loss to New Mexico State in his first year on the Plains.
So when it comes to the Tigers' matchup against South Alabama, Freeze knows his team can't overlook how hungry and fired up the Jaguars will be when they enter Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Auburn is currently a 24.5-point favorite over South Alabama in the program's first-ever meeting. Here is how our staff thinks the game goes down.
Andrew Hughes
Auburn’s solidified run game should have its way with a South Alabama defense that was run over by Tulane last week. While the Jaguars should put up a fight with a strong-armed Bishop Davenport under center, the Tigers’ offense is too formidable and riding a wave of momentum too strong to have a letdown here. Anxiety is heightened with a Group of Five opponent coming to town, especially an in-state program. Expect plenty of points from both sides, but a game Auburn ultimately controls.
Auburn 45 South Alabama 24
Mary Kate Hughes
I think this is a little bit of a trap game because it's homecoming and an early kickoff. South Alabama is a better team than Ball State, and there will be in-state kids excited to play at and against Auburn. The Tigers' talent will overpower South Alabama and lock in on trying to make sure everything is ready to go when they open SEC play next weekend.
Auburn 31, South Alabama 17
Pankti Parmar
Auburn clearly has the power to rip apart Major Applewhite's team, but a lot of other factors make you question whether the Tigers will slip this one time. Whether Damari Alston plays is a good place to start. But overall, Auburn looks in control.
Defensively, the Tigers are looking extremely dominant. Bishop Davenport and the rest of the Jaguars' offense will be under the gun to put up some scores on the board. On the other side of the ball, Jackson Arnold will take decent care of the ball with Auburn's improved passing game. If things go as planned, Freeze might also give Deuce Knight some action in the second half.
Auburn will create some pressure for South Alabama in the first half. South Alabama, on the other hand, will put up some points on the scoreboard in the second half, but nothing the Tigers can't hold off.
Auburn 45, South Alabama 21
Brian Stultz
As mentioned above, Freeze is no stranger to Group of Five upsets, as he has been on both sides of them. I'm expecting a heavy dose of the running game, led by Jeremiah Cobb and Omar Mabson, early on, which will set up Jackson Arnold and the passing game.
Auburn's defense has issues in its secondary, but the defensive line and linebacker unit should be able to slow the Jaguars' rushing attack and force them to beat them through the air. It won't work.
Auburn 38, South Alabama 17