This coming Saturday, the Auburn Tigers will attempt to begin the football season 3-0 for the first time since 2019.
Following a decisive victory over Ball State, Auburn will once again play at Jordan-Hare Stadium against the South Alabama Jaguars. South Alabama, coming off a heartbreaking loss against Tulane, will be fighting for its first win against a ranked opponent since #19 San Diego State in 2016, its only win against a ranked opponent in program history.
“We will need to be balanced against South Alabama, as they do a lot of things, and we need to try to keep their offense on the sideline for sure, and limit their number of opportunities,” said Auburn head coach Hugh Freeze, looking ahead following the Tigers’ victory against Ball State.
Defensively, the Tigers completely overwhelmed the Cardinals, allowing only 71 passing yards and -3 rushing yards. Auburn’s defense also recorded six sacks and 14 tackles for loss, leading the SEC in both. On offense, starting quarterback Jackson Arnold completed 24-of-28 passes for 251 yards and three touchdowns, highlighting a higher emphasis on passing than the Baylor game in week one.
“I think it’s good that I can go out and drive and at any point in time and look out to my left, to my right, and be comfortable with who I’m throwing to. It's not just, I look out at X and see Cam [Coleman]’s out there, I know I need to throw to that guy, you know I got dudes all across the field I can spread the ball to,” Arnold said regarding his confidence in his receivers.
In their loss against Tulane, South Alabama’s defense allowed only 165 passing yards, but struggled against the run, allowing 241 total rushing yards from three different backs, each rushing for 60+.
"I want to play every great team we can play. We're a 15-year program. The way you gain respect and notoriety is to play the very best teams you can play, and beat them. And if you can't beat them, you come close and you get better until you can beat them. But that's the way you earn respect and put yourself on the map. You go play the very best you can play,’ said South Alabama head coach Major Applewhite when discussing the importance of their matchup against the Tigers. Starting quarterback Bishop Davenport had an impressive outing, completing 17 of 24 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns.
This matchup is important as it marks the end of non-conference play for both teams, with Auburn going on the road to face Oklahoma afterwards, and North Texas hosting South Alabama. A victory for Auburn would likely boost their rank, while a victory for South Alabama would almost certainly cause Auburn’s reputation to plummet, while also giving South Alabama status as a serious contender in the Sun Belt Conference.
The Auburn Tigers will face off against the South Alabama Jaguars at 11:45 a.m. on Saturday September 13. The game will be available to stream,Startingon ESPN.
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Braden is a freshman majoring in Aviation Management. He started with the Plainsman in fall 2025.
