Auburn fans got everything they hoped for in the season opener – and maybe more. In a dominating performance against Baylor, the Tigers controlled the game from the trenches, running for nearly 300 yards on the road and proving once again that the offensive line has taken a massive step forward. With players like Jeremiah Wright and Mason Murphy setting the tone, Auburn showed they can not only win battles at the line of scrimmage but also wear down opponents late in games.

Jackson Arnold added another layer to the offense, showing walk-away speed that stunned Baylor’s defense. With designed runs that kept the Bears guessing, Arnold emerged as the SEC’s leading rusher through week one. His decision-making and explosiveness on the ground opened up new wrinkles in Hugh Freeze’s playbook.

Receivers like Cam Coleman, Eric Singleton Jr., and Malcolm Simmons were quiet by design, but Auburn fans know that tougher defenses, like Oklahoma’s, will require more balance. Expect Freeze to test the passing game in the next two matchups versus Ball State and South Alabama before unleashing the full aerial attack in Norman.

This Auburn team looks different – tougher, more disciplined, and capable of grinding out clock-killing drives. That final seven-minute, 12-play march to seal the win against Baylor was as demoralizing as it gets for a home team crowd. Auburn’s run game not only punished Baylor but also sent a clear message to the rest of the SEC: this team is built to travel.

Now the question is, can Auburn carry that momentum into their passing game? With two tune-ups before Oklahoma, we’re about to find out.

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