Auburn travels to McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas on Friday to face off towards Baylor in a pivotal Week 1 matchup. The Tigers are struggling by means of one of many worst stretches in program historical past after posting 4 straight dropping seasons for the primary time since 1950. Earlier than the 2022 season, the Tigers had made a bowl recreation yearly since 2013.
Baylor coach Dave Aranda was on one of many hottest seats within the nation final season, however got here by means of with a six-game successful streak to finish Large 12 play. The Bears completed inside one recreation of first place within the Large 12 and have excessive expectations are coming into the convention title race. The Bears play each Auburn and SMU in a tough nonconference stretch.
The Tigers and Bears have solely performed 4 instances in program historical past, and by no means within the final 40 years. Baylor holds a 2-1-1 all-time collection lead, together with a 15-14 victory over the Tigers in 1976. Nevertheless, this recreation could have far larger stakes.
Auburn vs. Baylor: Must know
Main implications: Auburn and Baylor each desperately have to win this recreation to place collectively the seasons every hopes to have in 2025. The Tigers need to break by means of the struggles and get again into nationwide rivalry. Dropping towards a Large 12 workforce in Week 1 could be a damper. Baylor is attempting to rebuild its model on the nationwide stage in entrance of a house crowd. Dropping might create severe points for the Bears’ push into the rankings, not simply short-term however long-term.
Newcomer vs. veteran: Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson was one of many breakout gamers of 2024 and ranks as the highest returning quarterback in QBR. He threw for greater than 3,000 yards and 28 touchdowns regardless of not taking up full time till Large 12 play. On the opposite facet, Jackson Arnold involves Auburn as an inconsistent product. He struggled and was in the end benched at Oklahoma, whereas averaging a paltry 5.8 yards per try. Auburn wants extra.
Finest on worst: Auburn has one huge benefit towards the Bears that would show definitive — the receivers. The Tigers have a top-three unit within the nation and face a Baylor secondary that had main points final season. Projected starter Carl Williams is dominated as uncertain for the matchup, which means that the Bears might lean on newcomers on the place. Be careful for the large play; receivers Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton are more likely to hit on just a few photographs.
The way to watch Auburn vs. Baylor stay
Date: Friday, Aug. 29 | Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: McLane Stadium — Waco, Texas
TV: Fox | Reside stream: Fubo (Attempt without spending a dime)
Auburn vs. Baylor prediction, picks
The stakes couldn’t be larger for each of those applications as Hugh Freeze tries to get off the new seat, and Dave Aranda makes an attempt to raise his program. The Tigers will hit on a handful of deep photographs towards a struggling Baylor secondary, however the Bears will show to be the extra constant down-to-down workforce. Led by a powerful day from working again Bryson Washington, the Bears will maintain on as dwelling underdogs. Decide: Baylor +2.5
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