The Tiger Bowl has officially returned to the college football season in 2026, as the Auburn Tigers and LSU Tigers do battle on Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium in what became a crucial game after last weekend’s results.
Auburn, sitting at 4-2 and 2-2 in SEC play, is seeking a 5-2 start after an upset of the Georgia Bulldogs, while LSU is coming off of a 31-0 win over Mississippi State at home in Baton Rouge to move to 5-2 itself.
With less than 24 hours left until another Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium, the biggest question sitting in front of Alex Golesh’s squad is whether or not they can avoid the relief syndrome of last week’s historic victory.
The Auburn Undercover staff has made its predictions for the weekend’s festivities, picking the Auburn game, along with the game of the week and eight other games from across the nation.
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Current standings:
1. Caleb (48-22)
2. Tyler (47-23)
3. Ryan (44-26)
4. Ronnie (38-32)
5. Jay (34-36)
Auburn vs. LSU (-7)
Tyler: LSU
If you had put this game in front of me last week and asked me to pick it, my gut says that I would have predicted LSU with ease. Now, with Auburn having beaten Georgia on the road, I’m not so sure. Nonetheless, this is a game that I look at on paper as being a dogfight for four quarters. The biggest challenge standing in front of Alex Golesh and his squad is can they be consistent after last week’s highs and not fall victim to “relief syndrome” after a win that will go down in the history books?
Only time will tell that, but here is what I do know, battling against Lane Kiffin has been a war of keeping up with the tempo and aggressiveness. Kiffin does not shy away from going for it on fourth downs and definitely does not slow down his pace of play. With the skill players LSU has on offense and defense, and with Auburn trying to perfect what it did last week, I just see LSU bringing the boys in orange and blue back down to Earth a little bit. I like this to be competitive, but it will be fourth quarter stops from LSU that win this one.
Ryan: LSU
LSU has a top 10 payroll in the nation, and its roster is always filled with creatures. Even more advantageous is the fact that it has a personnel advantage in almost every game. But how has it lost? It has had lack of discipline and virtually no culture.
It is going to take winning the turnover and field position battle significantly for Auburn to pull off another upset, which is why I am taking LSU to win.
Caleb: LSU
This weekend is a huge moment for Auburn and Alex Golesh. How will the team respond to the win over Georgia? There's certainly a lot of excitement around the program right now, and a win over LSU could solidify Auburn as a threat once again.
However, even with two losses, this is not a bad LSU team by any means. Lane Kiffin's team ranks as the most efficient offense in the SEC and boasts a top three defense in the conference as well.
The win over Georgia was not a fluke—Auburn played well and was the better team. However, Georgia played its worst game of the season, and if LSU comes out firing, this matchup favors LSU. It's tempting to ride the hot hand, but I'm taking LSU to get a close road win.
Jay: Auburn
Auburn has tons of momentum following its win against Georgia. It will need to get out to a better start offensively and defensively though. LSU has struggled on the road and I think Auburn may have the advantage offensively. Defensively however, LSU may have a slight advantage. I don't think Auburn will suffer from Xavier Atkins considering it had a good game against Georgia. I'll take Auburn in a close one based on the home-field advantage and the overall team using last week as momentum.=
Ronnie: Auburn
Auburn returns home Saturday for an 11 a.m. kickoff against LSU, looking to build on the momentum of its upset victory over No. 1 Georgia. The challenge for Alex Golesh's Tigers will be maintaining the same intensity and execution that helped them knock off the nation's top-ranked team. Auburn needs to establish some consistency offensively, avoid costly penalties and turnovers and find ways to sustain drives. An early kickoff doesn't change the importance of getting off to a fast start, particularly against an LSU team capable of making things difficult if Auburn allows it to dictate the tempo.
One of the biggest keys will be finding ways to get Byrum Brown involved in the running game. Auburn had success against Georgia with designed quarterback runs, and that needs to remain a significant part of the offensive approach. Brown's ability to make plays with his legs forces defenses to account for another rushing threat and can create opportunities elsewhere in the offense. Auburn doesn't need to rely exclusively on Brown's running ability, but it needs to be deliberate about giving him opportunities to use it, particularly in short-yardage situations and on third down.
Defensively, Auburn has to limit explosive plays, tackle well in space and make LSU earn its points. The Tigers showed against Georgia that they can make adjustments and respond when things don't go their way. They'll need that same discipline Saturday. If Auburn can protect the football, establish some balance offensively and continue getting timely plays from Brown, the Tigers should have an opportunity to build on last week's success and pick up another important SEC victory.
GAME OF THE WEEK:
Utah (-6.5) vs. Houston
Tyler: Houston
To me this game is a coin flip, and with where both of these teams are in the national rankings, it should be. Houston has impressed all season long, as has Utah. However, the Cougars have had more people question them in their tough games so far this season than the Utes have. I love both Devon Dampier and Conner Weigman, the two quarterbacks in this game. However, Utah has always been due for a no show in a big game at home in recent memory. In 2025, it was Texas Tech. In 2024, it was a number of games, starting with Arizona. In 2023, it was Oregon. This year, I think Houston is the first of two. Give me the Cougars in a marquee road win.
Ryan: Houston
The atmosphere that Utah has in Salt Lake City is rocking and is in a place that is gaining momentum by the week. However, at the beginning of the preseason in the summer, I picked Houston to make the College Football Playoff. At this point, I’m not running away from them now. Give me Houston.
Caleb: Utah
Utah faces its biggest test this weekend facing Houston and Connor Weigman this weekend. Weigman's played phenomenal this season for the Cougars, whose only loss is on the road to a now-top-10 Texas Tech. If this was in Houston, I'd take the Cougars. It's not, though—so give me Utah to defend its home turf.
Jay: Utah
This being a long trip for Houston, I see this being tough on the Cougars. Combine that with the atmosphere that Utah has, and this makes up for Houston’s toughest road trip of the year. In that case, I take the Utes to win this marquee showdown.
Ronnie: Utah
No. 10 Utah hosts No. 14 Houston Saturday night in Salt Lake City in a matchup with major Big 12 championship and College Football Playoff implications. The unbeaten Utes have been impressive on both sides of the football, averaging 40.2 points per game while allowing just 14.8. Houston comes in following a 35-32 victory over Oklahoma State, with quarterback Conner Weigman throwing for 343 yards and five touchdowns. Both teams have been effective running the football, but Utah's defense could be the difference. Quarterback Devon Dampier gives the Utes a dangerous dual-threat option, and playing at Rice-Eccles Stadium certainly doesn't hurt. Houston has won all five previous meetings, but I like Utah to change that Saturday night, remain unbeaten and take another step toward a Big 12 championship.
Other games:
Michigan vs. Indiana (-7.5)
Tyler: Indiana
Ryan: Indiana
Caleb: Michigan
Jay: indiana
Ronnie: Indiana
Kansas vs. Baylor (-1.5)
Tyler: Baylor
Ryan: Baylor
Caleb: Baylor
Jay: Baylor
Ronnie: Kansas
UCF vs. BYU (-7.5)
Tyler: BYU
Ryan: BYU
Caleb: BYU
Jay: BYU
Ronnie: BYU
South Carolina (-2.5) vs. Tennessee
Tyler: Tennessee
Ryan: South Carolina
Caleb: Tennessee
Jay: Tennessee
Ronnie: Tennessee
Minnesota vs. Iowa (-7.5)
Tyler: Iowa
Ryan: Iowa
Caleb: Iowa
Jay: Iowa
Ronnie: Iowa
Texas (-3.5) vs. Ole Miss
Tyler: Ole Miss
Ryan: Ole Miss
Caleb: Ole Miss
Jay: Ole Miss
Ronnie: Ole Miss
Wisconsin vs. USC (-3)
Tyler: USC
Ryan: USC
Caleb: USC
Jay: Wisconsin
Ronnie: USC
New Mexico (-4.5) vs. North Dakota State
Tyler: New Mexico
Ryan: New Mexico
Caleb: New Mexico
Jay: North Dakota State
Ronnie: New Mexico
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
