Week 1 Preview: Auburn Tigers vs. Baylor Bears

The stage is set in Waco as the Tigers head into Friday night with questions around the quarterback situation, key injuries, and the pressure of a primetime spotlight. This non-conference matchup could set the tone for Hugh Freeze's make-or-break season.

How to watch:
Date: Friday, Aug. 29 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: McLane Stadium – Waco, Texas
TV: FOX Sports | Live stream: FOXOne, Fubo

It's Time To Deliver

Year 3 of Hugh Freeze and Year 5 of mediocrity. Auburn hasn’t had a winning season since 2020, and with this talent, anything less than a turnaround would be hard to justify.

Jackson Arnold gets the first crack at Baylor. Despite some concerning fall camp reports, Freeze is confident in his QB1. He’s also said all three QBs could see the field, with designed packages for Deuce Knight — and possibly Ashton Daniels — on the table. Anything beyond these designed packages will be a bad look. If Daniels comes out in a package other than the wildcat, we’ve officially lost the plot.

Two offensive stars are gone to the NFL, but Damari Alston looks ready to step into Jarquez Hunter’s shoes. Eric Singleton Jr. arrives from Georgia Tech as an elite playmaker, racking up 754 yards and three TDs on 56 catches last season. With KeAndre Lambert Smith gone, Singleton could dominate Baylor’s secondary — though a thigh bruise may limit him early (more on that later).

Calling a Close Game: Baylor Offense vs. Auburn Defense

Baylor stumbled early in 2024 but finished strong, winning six straight before losing to LSU in the Texas Bowl. In October and November, they ranked in the top 10 nationally for yards per game, yards per play, and points per game. Entering 2025, they’re within striking distance of contending for the Big 12 title.

Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson and star RB Bryson Washington were key to that late-season surge. Robertson took over midseason, throwing for more than 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns in only 11 starts. While Baylor may not have Auburn’s blue-chip WR room, their receivers are plenty sharp.

Stopping players like Washington and Robertson won’t be easy, which puts Auburn’s defense, particularly the front seven, squarely in the spotlight for this opener. Washington, the nation’s sixth-ranked RB according to PFF, is Baylor’s key offensive piece — especially with backup Dawson Pendergrass out for the season. If Washington wears down, Baylor’s run game could vanish. Led by captain Keldric Faulk, Auburn’s outside linebackers and edge rushers are elite. But the interior DL will need to step up big time to contain the Baylor RB.

Giving confidence to Auburn fans is safety and newly named captain, Champ Anthony. He's fired up to return to the field after last year's gruesome injury in the Arkansas game:

"I’ve been thinking about this day since the day I got hurt," Anthony said, per Auburn Undercover. "When I was in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, I thought, 'I can't wait to come back and play.' I’m just glad it’s a good opponent. I’ll be able to test my stripes and see how hard I’ve been working. I’m way faster, way bigger, way stronger. It’s going to suck for them, I’m not going to lie."

Auburn's Advantage

Auburn’s WRs should dominate Baylor’s secondary. This top-three unit faces a Baylor defense ranked 79th in scoring last season. At Oklahoma, Arnold lacked rhythm and weapons. Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. could make anyone look like a Heisman candidate. Arnold was a five-star recruit for a reason; if he finds his rhythm, he now has elite receivers. Expect a heavy dose of Coleman; at 6'3", 200 lbs, Baylor has no answer.

Health Woes

Singleton Jr. is limited by a thigh bruise but is expected to play. Freeze said he’s not 100% yet, but hopes he’ll be close to full speed by Friday.

"He's not 100%, but getting better every day," Freeze said. "Hopefully, with more treatment today, tomorrow, and all through the day Friday, he'll be close to being full speed. That's our hope. He's not quite there yet, but definitely is healthy enough to try to play."

Another blow comes with kicker Alex McPherson, college football's most accurate kicker. While he showed signs of healing post-surgery, his symptoms from last season have returned. As of now, he is not ruled out for Friday's game. Fortunately, backup Towns McGough and Mississippi transfer Connor Gibbs have had solid camps, according to Freeze. Special teams were a major concern last year, and must rebound in 2025.

Wrapping Up

Two similar, inconsistent programs kick off their seasons in a strange — yet nationally televised — timeslot. Simply put, and bias aside, Auburn flat-out has the better players. The Tigers’ wide receivers give Jackson Arnold options that the Baylor secondary can’t match, and the defense has the talent to disrupt Sawyer Robertson and Bryson Washington early. If Freeze avoids unnecessary QB experiments, Auburn takes this one.

Final score prediction: Auburn 31 Baylor 27.