It's been an eventful offseason for the Auburn football program. From the firing of Hugh Freeze to the hiring of Alex Golesh, followed by a new coaching staff and a roster that contains quite a few newcomers.
Since arriving on the Plains, Golesh has done everything right. He got off to a hot start on the recruiting trail, he has used the offseason to do as much as he can to bond his players together and he has truly embraced the culture of Auburn while establishing his own culture inside the program.
After five years of losing seasons, Auburn football fans are chomping at the bit for some sort of improvement and success. Heading into Golesh's debut on the Plains, a lot of that pressure is riding on the shoulders of transfer quarterback Byrum Brown.
The 2026 season will mark the fifth year Brown has played under Golesh and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon, and Golesh has said himself that the continuity on the offense with Brown and also the USF offensive line and wide receiver transfers has put the Tigers ahead of your average first year rebuild under a new head coach.
Still, many have questions about whether or not the system will work. Golesh stacked transfers from the portal on top of some key returners from last year's team, but will the former USF players be able to kick it in the grueling SEC? Will the offensive line be able to come together and protect the quarterback effectively enough for the Tigers to run their high tempo offense and run the ball?
Golesh has done everything in his power to prepare for his Auburn football debut, but there is still one thing he needs for this team: credibility.
According to Brad Crawford of CBS Sports, a week one win over the Baylor Bears could be exactly what Golesh needs to get off to a hot start in year one.
"This one feels bigger than the typical opener, a neutral-site measuring stick for two programs trying to accelerate their respective climbs," Crawford writes. "An Auburn victory would validate offseason optimism and provide early evidence that Golesh's offensive system can translate immediately against Power Four competition.
"Watch Auburn's tempo, quarterback comfort and ability to create explosive plays without sacrificing control. This matchup could become a referendum on both trajectories: Auburn attempting to reestablish itself, while Baylor searches for proof that Dave Aranda should be allotted more time. Win this one, and Golesh earns instant credibility before the Tigers enter the teeth of their schedule."
Auburn and Baylor will kick off from Atlanta on September 5 at 2:30 p.m. Central Time.
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