| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
| Baylor | 0 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 16 |
| Auburn | 3 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
Final. Saturday, September 5, 2026. Kicked off 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
The Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the Alex Golesh era’s first night out. Auburn hired him away from South Florida after three losing seasons under Hugh Freeze, and he brought quarterback Byrum Brown and most of his receivers with him. Baylor answers with DJ Lagway, the former five star who transferred from Florida, and a rebuilt roster that returns just one offensive starter. Auburn won last year’s meeting in Waco 38 to 24.
| Kickoff | 3:30 p.m. ET · 2:30 p.m. CT · 1:30 p.m. MT · 12:30 p.m. PT |
| TV | ABC |
| Streaming | ESPN app (ESPN Unlimited), Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, DirecTV Stream, or free over the air |
| Venue | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta (neutral site, Auburn is the designated home team) |
| Line | Auburn by 7 to 7.5 depending on the book; total 59.5. Check yours before kickoff. |
Prediction and Odds
Golesh’s South Florida offense averaged more than 40 points a game last year and he imported the quarterback and five receivers who ran it, so Auburn should score. The question is whether a Baylor defense that ranked 110th in yards per pass attempt allowed and has as many as four new starters up front can slow it. On the other side, Lagway has the arm for Jake Spavital’s downfield offense but is learning a new system behind a new line. Atlanta will feel like a home game for Auburn. We like the Tigers to win and cover in a shootout.
Our pick: Auburn 38, Baylor 27. Auburn wins and covers 7; over 59.5 hits.
Why This One Matters
Auburn moved this game from Jordan-Hare to Atlanta for a reported multimillion dollar NIL windfall, and the payoff is a national ABC window for Golesh’s debut. ESPN’s FPI gives Auburn about a 73 percent chance to win. Baylor is trying to steal a Power Four win before a three game homestand that includes the Big 12 opener against Colorado.
How to Watch Without Cable
ABC is free over the air and streams in the ESPN app with ESPN Unlimited. Fubo, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and DirecTV Stream all carry ABC. See our streaming guide.
The Bottom Line
Baylor vs. Auburn kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday, September 5 on ABC from Atlanta. Auburn is our pick to win and cover. Result on our live scoreboard.