HotFootballTake: Auburn vs. South Alabama — Homecoming in Jordan-Hare (and elsewhere in the SEC)
Auburn, AL - Kickoff is set for 11:45 AM CDT on the SEC Network, and all signs point to another sold-out crowd at Jordan-Hare Stadium. It’s homecoming on the Plains, but make no mistake—Auburn’s focus is on the scoreboard, not the parade. With a 2–0 record and growing confidence on both sides of the ball, the Tigers are looking to make a statement and build momentum heading into SEC play.
Junior quarterback Jackson Arnold has started to look like the guy Auburn fans hoped he would be. After a run-heavy opener against Baylor, Arnold lit up Ball State through the air last week, completing 24 of 28 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns in a controlled, efficient performance. His poise in the pocket and comfort within the system were clear. Now, the question becomes whether he can maintain that rhythm and avoid the slow starts that have stalled Auburn’s opening drives in both halves this season. If the offense clicks early, the Tigers have more than enough firepower to put South Alabama away fast.
The backfield, meanwhile, comes into the game dealing with injuries. Senior running back Damari Alston is a game-time decision with a shoulder injury, and redshirt sophomore Durrell Robinson is out indefinitely after what Hugh Freeze called a “freak injury.” That leaves junior Jeremiah Cobb to shoulder the load again. Cobb has proven more than capable, leading the team in rushing despite playing through a hand injury. Expect him to set the tone early, with younger backs getting opportunities if Auburn builds a comfortable lead.
Auburn’s receivers are quickly coming into their own. Sophomore Cam Coleman is a downfield mismatch every time he lines up, junior Eric Singleton Jr. continues to shine as a dynamic playmaker, and sophomore Malcolm Butler is proving to be a sharp, reliable target. Together, they give Arnold a full arsenal—and they’ll likely be involved early, especially if South Alabama loads the box to slow Cobb and force Auburn to win through the air.
Special teams remains a work in progress. Junior kicker Alex McPherson is still working back from illness, and junior transfer Connor Gibbs has taken over long-range duties. With SEC play looming, Auburn needs to find consistency in the kicking game—but for today, it may not matter much.
South Alabama rolls in with an offense that shouldn’t be overlooked. Junior quarterback Bishop Davenport is completing over 76% of his passes so far this season and operates with precision in Paul Petrino’s up-tempo system. His top target, redshirt senior Devin Voisin, has already put up 221 receiving yards and three touchdowns in two games. Running back Kentrell Bullock adds another layer to the attack, averaging 5 yards per carry and keeping defenses honest. The Jaguars will move the ball—but sustaining drives against Auburn’s defense is another matter entirely.
The matchup to watch is Auburn’s dominant rushing offense against South Alabama’s struggling run defense. The Tigers average over 265 yards per game on the ground, while the Jaguars rank 122nd nationally against the run, giving up more than 200 yards per contest. If Auburn’s offensive line establishes control early, expect Cobb to have a big day and the Tigers to lean on the run to wear down South Alabama in the second half.
Defensively, Auburn’s biggest test will come in the secondary. South Alabama has the weapons to create space and hit chunk plays, and Voisin will be the primary concern. Auburn will look to counter with aggressive man coverage and timely pressure, hoping to force Davenport into rushed throws and take away his early reads.
There’s a layer of familiarity here, too. South Alabama’s special teams coordinator Tre’ Williams is a former Auburn linebacker, and quarterbacks coach Zach Crisler previously worked under Hugh Freeze at Auburn. That gives the Jaguars some insight—but it doesn’t close the talent gap.
This marks the first-ever football meeting between Auburn and South Alabama. It also ties the program’s record for consecutive sellouts—and comes during a 33-game homecoming win streak for the Tigers. That streak is unlikely to end today.
South Alabama may be dangerous in theory, but Auburn’s talent, depth, and game control should win out. Expect a sluggish opening drive or two—it’s been the pattern—but once the Tigers get into gear, the fireworks will follow.
Prediction: Auburn 46, South Alabama 10.
Arnold connects with Coleman, Singleton Jr., and Butler for touchdowns, Cobb crosses 100 yards on the ground again, and the defense swarms Davenport all day. Auburn keeps the homecoming streak alive, and then some.
Elsewhere in the SEC:
Georgia at Tennessee
Tennessee hosts Georgia in a pivotal SEC East clash with serious playoff implications. The Bulldogs have won eight straight in the series, but this version of Georgia—led by new quarterback Gunner Stockton—has looked more vulnerable offensively. Tennessee, behind quarterback Joey Aguilar and a raucous home crowd, will look to push the tempo and force mistakes. If the Vols can protect the ball and capitalize on Georgia’s miscues, they have a real shot at pulling off the upset.
Prediction: Tennessee 31, Georgia 21
Florida at LSU
Florida travels to Baton Rouge for a crucial early SEC showdown against LSU, with both teams needing a statement win. The Gators are still reeling from a disappointing loss and will rely on Ron Roberts’ aggressive defense to keep LSU's offense in check. On the other side, the Tigers haven’t quite lived up to preseason hype on offense, but playing at home gives them a significant edge. Expect a physical game where LSU pulls away late.
Prediction: LSU 28, Florida 17
Wisconsin at Alabama
Alabama heads into a dangerous matchup with Wisconsin still searching for answers after its stunning Week 1 loss. The Badgers bring one of the nation’s toughest run defenses, the kind built to grind down opponents in games like this. Alabama’s offense is still a work in progress, and if Wisconsin can protect the ball and string together just enough plays against the Tide’s defense, an upset in Tuscaloosa is very much on the table.
Prediction: Wisconsin 28, Alabama 21
Arkansas at Ole Miss
Arkansas and Ole Miss meet in a pivotal SEC West clash that pits the Razorbacks’ bruising ground game against a Rebel defense still searching for answers against the run. Dual-threat quarterback Taylen Green gives Arkansas a dangerous weapon, and after last year’s blowout loss, the Hogs have revenge on their minds. If they can control the tempo on the ground and take advantage of Ole Miss’s turnover troubles, the upset is there for the taking.
Prediction: Arkansas 34, Ole Miss 27.
Texas A&M at Notre Dame
Texas A&M’s trip to South Bend is one of the most intriguing showdowns of the early season, pitting the Aggies’ retooled offensive line and array of skill talent against a Notre Dame defense built on toughness and discipline. Both teams have the talent to win, but in a matchup this tight, the margins come down to turnovers, execution, and composure in the fourth quarter. With the crowd at their back and a knack for closing out games, the Irish have the edge. Never bet against the Catholics.
Prediction: Notre Dame 24, Texas A&M 21
Vanderbilt at South Carolina
South Carolina opens SEC play against Vanderbilt in what feels like a must-win for both sides. The Gamecocks’ biggest concern is keeping sophomore quarterback LaNorris Sellers upright—he’s shown flashes of big-time talent, but shaky protection has stalled the offense. Vanderbilt’s defense has been physical and opportunistic, and if they can consistently collapse the pocket, the Commodores have the tools to flip the script. This one sets up perfectly for a Vandy upset.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 28, South Carolina 14
Smaller Matchups:
Eastern Michigan at Kentucky
Prediction: Kentucky 55, Eastern Michigan 17
Alcorn State at Mississippi State
Prediction: Mississippi State 48, Alcorn State 6
UTEP at Texas
Texas 42, UTEP 24
UL Lafayette at Missouri
Mizzou 52, ULL 13