When folks count Auburn out, well, that’s when things get interesting on The Plains. All you need to do is review the Tigers’ win-loss record since 2000 to understand that the only constant for this program is change.
The Tigers bottomed out, both in 2008 (5-7) and 2012 (3-9), only to rally under new regimes. In 2010, the pairing of offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and Cam Newton delivered a national championship.
And when they parted ways with Gene Chizik and handed the reins over to Malzahn in 2013, he engineered the most incredible run in college football history, culminating in a trip to the final BCS National Championship Game.
So, why is now the time to be buying AU stock after five straight losing seasons? The staff and roster shakeup.
Alex Golesh arrives from South Florida with his hybrid Veer-and-Shoot offense in tow. And just like the package deal that changed Auburn’s fortunes back in 2010, Golesh’s offense has a dual-threat conductor at the ready.
Byrum Brown followed Golesh from Tampa to Auburn after amassing over 4,100 total yards of offense to go along with his 42 touchdowns (28 passing, 14 rushing).
He became just the 12th FBS quarterback to reach the exclusive 3,000-1,000 club while also knocking off nationally-ranked Boise State and Florida along the way.
Golesh convinced 11 USF Bulls in total to transfer to Auburn to aid in the transition.
But he was also wise enough to retain D.J. Durkin as his defensive coordinator. While the offense is a full gut-job, Durkin’s defense finished inside the SP+ top 20 for the second consecutive year in 2025.
If Golesh and Brown can orchestrate a massive offensive turnaround (79th in total offense) and Durkin is calling plays for his third straight top-20 defense, how high is the Tigers’ ceiling in 2026?
Let's dive into my college football futures and NCAAF picks for the Auburn Tigers in 2026.
College Football Futures, Picks
Auburn Tigers
Over 6.5 · To Make SEC Championship · To Make CFP
The second half of Auburn’s October schedule features a murderers' row of opponents.
The Tigers must travel to Georgia, host LSU, and hit the road again to face Ole Miss on three consecutive Saturdays. But their season’s success will not hinge on those three games alone. The Tigers actually have a path to a 4-0 start.
Golesh’s debut will come against Baylor at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Historically, Auburn fans have flocked to Atlanta for these kickoff games, so I expect a 70/30 crowd split or better for AU.
Schedule Helping Auburn
If it can ambush a Baylor side light on offensive continuity (102nd in returning production), there are more opportunities to build momentum in September.
Southern Miss should be nothing but a speed bump for Auburn, while Florida, Vanderbilt and Tennessee are all breaking in green quarterbacks.
Presently, Action Network power ratings make Auburn a favorite in six games, a single-digit 'dog in three, an 11-point 'dog in a pair of roadies at Ole Miss and Alabama, and a massive underdog of +21 at Georgia.
This explains why the Tigers' win total has settled in at 6.5, and their odds of reaching the SEC Championship and College Football Playoff are so long.
Positive Regression on the Way?
But under the hood, there are reasons to believe Auburn can shock the SEC this fall. It has run so unlucky from a one-score game perspective (1-12 in its last 13) that positive regression is likely in tighter games.
As of writing, the Tigers are in line to face eight quarterbacks with two or fewer college starts.
And while Golesh made a name for himself at the G5 level, he has shredded the SEC before as a play-caller. As Tennessee’s OC in 2022, the Volunteers led the nation in scoring while knocking off six ranked opponents, including No. 2 Alabama.
Hendon Hooker, his starting quarterback, led the nation in QBR at 89.5.
The pieces are in place for Auburn to catch the college football world napping, and I’ll be ready to cash these tickets when they do.
Pick: Auburn Over 6.5 Wins (-118 · FanDuel) · Auburn to Make SEC Championship (+2000 · bet365) · Auburn to Make CFP Field (+750 · bet365)
