Saturday, September 5, isn’t just another early season warm-up for Auburn football. The Tigers are headed to Atlanta for the Aflac Kickoff Game to battle the Baylor Bears, making them one of only two SEC teams to clash with a Power Four opponent in Week One. Forget those easy conference tune-ups; this game has USA TODAY Sports buzzing as one of the best matchups to watch, and for good reason.
Week One Is Heating Up Fast
Last season, Auburn absolutely handled Baylor, taking them down 38-24 in Waco. That game was a showcase for quarterbacks on both sides, with Auburn’s Jackson Arnold putting on a strong rushing performance. On the flip side, Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson lit it up through the air, slinging for 419 yards and three touchdowns. But you can toss those stats out the window for this year, because everything changes with two new signal-callers hitting the field for both teams.
The New QB Showdown Is Real
Paul Myerberg of USA TODAY Sports hit it right on the head: there’s so much to like about the incoming talent. Auburn is bringing in Byrum Brown, who came over from USF with his former head coach and offensive coordinator, Alex Golesh. That’s a huge deal for speeding up Brown’s transition into the new system, especially since four of his top five targets from last season also joined him. This guy isn’t just another transfer; Brown put up some wild numbers at USF, combining for 4,166 yards of offense and 42 touchdowns. The biggest question mark is how those numbers translate against SEC defenses, but with his comfort level in the system, he’s set up to perform.
On the other side, Baylor is rolling the dice on former Florida passer DJ Lagway. Lagway was a top quarterback recruit in 2024, but his time with the Gators was a bumpy ride, marked by 28 touchdowns to 23 interceptions. He’s back in Texas now, looking to rebuild his image with an in-state team. Myerberg believes Baylor’s offense can absolutely keep pace, but Lagway has to cut down on those turnovers. That’s the key right there, because if he can protect the ball, this Baylor offense could explode.
This Aflac Kickoff Game is more than just football; it’s a high-stakes proving ground for two quarterbacks desperate to make their mark. You do not want to miss what Byrum Brown and DJ Lagway bring to the field next Saturday.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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