The Auburn Tigers are once again back at home in Jordan-Hare Stadium for the third time in the 2026 season, trying to erase a sour taste from their mouths after a 44-39 defeat at the hands of the Florida Gators.
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The Tigers gave up 162 yards on the ground to running back Jadan Baugh last week and got gashed for more than 160 yards on third downs alone, something Alex Golesh is wanting to fix.
Auburn now welcomes the Vanderbilt Commodores to the Plains for Homecoming, looking to take down Clark Lea’s squad for the first time since 2023.
The Commodores enter Saturday with a 3-0 record after coming off of a miraculous ending to defeat the North Carolina State Wolfpack in Nashville, 35-31.
With the weekend approaching, the Tigers sit as a 9.5-point favorite, with the over/under currently being at 55.5 points. The game is set for 3:15 p.m. CST on SEC Network.
The Auburn Undercover Staff is “Predicting the Script” again, sharing our forecasts on the Auburn game, our game of the week and eight more featured matchups from around the nation.
Current standings:
1. Caleb (22-8)
T-2. Tyler and Ryan (21-9)
4. Ronnie (20-10)
5. Jay (13-17)
Auburn (-9.5) vs. Vanderbilt
Tyler: Auburn
Auburn has not taken down Vanderbilt since 2023 and has a bad taste in its mouth after being beaten by Florida at home. The streak of SEC home losses has to end at some point, and I think Saturday will be the day. The Tigers have the better talent, they just need to play like they do, especially against a Commodores squad playing in their first SEC game of the year and with a 3-0 record.
This will be a scratch and claw game, so nothing will truly come easy to Auburn. At the end of the day though, the Tigers defense will turn things around on the defensive end and fluster Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis, forcing him into freshman mistakes. At the end of it all, it will be the defense making a stop late to get the ball back to Auburn, who will run out the clock and pull out a squeaker at home.
Ryan: Auburn
Auburn will need to hit against Vanderbilt’s zero pressure package. The home SEC losing streak ends this week. Vanderbilt isn’t what it was personnel-wise the last two seasons. This is a must-win for the Tigers with what’s on deck next month. They get it with improved play in all three phases.
Caleb: Auburn
I picked Auburn to beat Florida last week and that backfired. Vanderbilt is 3-0 and riding momentum from a miracle last week in Nashville.
However, my gut says Auburn wins this game. I think the Tigers are the better team, but if the defense plays flat again, Auburn could easily be 2-2 with a brutal October slate upcoming. If you’re the Tigers, you better get it while you can, because I don’t see Auburn winning a single game in October.
Jay: Auburn
The Tigers are looking for a bounce back game defensively against Vanderbilt. Defensive Coordinator DJ Durkin believes the team responded all week. Combine the defense ready to make a statement and Jared Curtis making his first road start, I think Auburn wins. That won't be the sole reason the Tigers win though. I think Alex Golesh and Joel Gordon will figure out how to get Byrum Brown into a rhythm early. I also think the O-line will figure out how to open up better holes for the run game.
Ronnie: Auburn
Vanderbilt is 3-0 and has won the past two meetings in the series, so this is not a game the Tigers can afford to take lightly. Auburn’s biggest priority should be playing cleaner football, limiting explosive plays and getting off the field on third down.
I expect Auburn to establish the run, take some pressure off Byrum Brown and gradually wear Vanderbilt down. The Commodores will hang around, but the Tigers should be the more physical team and make enough plays defensively to create some separation in the second half.
GAME OF THE WEEK:
Tennessee vs. Texas (-4.5)
Tyler: Texas
This game is way more intriguing now than I thought it might be at the beginning of the season. Faizon Brandon is looking like a viable quarterback in the future of Tennessee’s offense, while Arch Manning is improving mightily. Texas has already been tested in a big way, and while its win over Ohio State was at home, the resilience against adversity is what stood out. This game will be another close one, but I like Steve Sarkisian’s squad to go into Neyland Stadium and win because of some big second half plays and a monumental turnover from the Longhorns defense.
Ryan: Texas
I would have thought Texas before the season would win this game easily. In this game, Tennessee has the home field and momentum. Because of Arch Manning, I think the Longhorns offense will pull away victorious, but it will be close.
Caleb: Texas
Knoxville will be the place to be Saturday. Arch Manning and Texas will face their first hostile environment of the season, but even that won’t be enough for the Volunteers to dethrone the Longhorns from the top spot. Tennessee is known for its country music, sure, but I’m taking a page out of Ella Langley’s book and “Choosin’ Texas.”
Jay: Tennessee
This is the first road game for Texas. I think a lot of people are writing Tennessee off because under Heupel, the Volunteers have not been able to win a big game. I think that changes Saturday. An early kick and a raucous Neyland Stadium crowd will have all of Knoxville singing "Rocky Top" until the early hours of the morning. Give me Smokey and Tennessee.
Ronnie: Tennessee
Tennessee gets Texas at home in what should be one of the weekend’s most competitive games. The Volunteers will need to avoid turnovers, create a few explosive plays and keep the Longhorns from controlling the game on the ground. I expect this one to remain close into the fourth quarter, with Tennessee making enough plays late to pull off the upset.
Other games:
Baylor (-10) vs. Colorado
Tyler: Baylor
Ryan: Baylor
Caleb: Baylor
Jay: Baylor
Ronnie: Baylor
Maryland vs. UCLA (-1.5)
Tyler: UCLA
Ryan: Maryland
Caleb: Maryland
Jay: UCLA
Ronnie: UCLA
Florida (-3.5) vs. Ole Miss
Tyler: Ole Miss
Ryan: Ole Miss
Caleb: Ole Miss
Jay: Florida
Ronnie: Ole Miss
Michigan (-5.5) vs. Iowa
Tyler: Michigan
Ryan: Michigan
Caleb: Iowa
Jay: Michigan
Ronnie: Michigan
LSU (-8.5) vs. Texas A&M
Tyler: LSU
Ryan: LSU
Caleb: LSU
Jay: LSU
Ronnie: LSU
USC vs. Oregon (-3)
Tyler: Oregon
Ryan: Oregon
Caleb: Oregon
Jay: USC
Ronnie: USC
Mississippi State (-6.5) vs. Missouri
Tyler: Mississippi State
Ryan: Mississippi State
Caleb: Mississippi State
Jay: Mississippi State
Ronnie: Missouri
Stanford vs. Georgia Tech (-3.5)
Tyler: Georgia Tech
Ryan: Georgia Tech
Caleb: Georgia Tech
Jay: Georgia Tech
Ronnie: Georgia Tech
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
