There is a lot of excitement surrounding the game taking place in Mercedes-Benz Stadium between the Auburn Tigers and the Baylor Bears on Saturday in Atlanta.
With a lot of emotions surrounding the game and so much to play for on both sidelines, the meeting of the Tigers and the Bears has the potential to produce a number of highlights, ones that could make a difference in the game.
In light of the game, the Auburn Undercover staff decided to answer a question of what Auburn needed to do in order to walk out of Atlanta 1-0.
Question: What is the one thing that the Auburn Tigers need to do in order to win over Dave Aranda’s Baylor Bears on Saturday afternoon?
Tyler Raley: To me, it seems simple—run the ball, and run it well. Auburn totaled 307 yards on the ground in last year’s game against Baylor, making Hugh Freeze’s offense seem like it had found a pulse. This year’s group feels like it has the same core pieces and maybe a little bit more with a mobile quarterback, multiple serviceable running backs and at least one receiver that has decent speed. While this is not near the same Bears defense as it was in 2025, the goal remains the same. If Alex Golesh can have his team run the football as well as he believes it can, the writing is on the walls that the Tigers can have some success in Atlanta.
Ryan Bartow: The key will be confidence, especially in a quasi home game with the crowd advantage. Playing with high belief to kick off a new regime and era is vital. On defense, getting off the field on third downs is of the utmost importance. Offensively, being balanced and hitting explosives needs to happen, while on special teams, winning the field position battle is key.
Jay Douglas: Win the turnover battle. Coach Durkin arguably has the best linebacking and secondary corps he’s had in his tenure. If guys like Xavier Atkins and Elijah Melendez can make plays in the backfield, it’ll force Baylor to throw the ball in long-yardage situations. That’s where guys like Champ Anthony, Rayshawn Pleasant, Andre Jordan Jr. and Sylvester Smith-Reed can put pressure on the receivers and either break up the pass or pick it off. Getting Baylor in long yardages also allows the defensive line to put pressure on DJ Lagway and either force a bad throw or force a fumble.
Caleb Jones: Looking at this matchup, two things stick out that Auburn needs to do to win this game. Auburn must establish its run game through both the running backs and Byrum Brown, almost daring Baylor to stop its ground attack. Defensively, the Tigers have got to find a way to rattle DJ Lagway. Make him make mistakes, and Auburn should find its first victory of the Alex Golesh era.
Ronnie Sanders: Auburn needs to establish the run, use Byrum Brown’s legs and make Baylor prove it can stop them. Offensively, the Tigers need balance, tempo and explosive plays. Auburn needs to play fast and aggressive as the Alex Golesh era begins.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
