{
  "id": 5148988,
  "title": "Five reasons why Auburn football could struggle with Baylor in Week 1",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/02/five-reasons-why-auburn-football-could-struggle-with-baylor-in-week-1",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-02T19:00:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/five-reasons-why-auburn-football-190016288.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Auburn Tigers and Baylor Bears are set to clash in the Week 1 Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta, with Auburn seeking to kick off Alex Golesh's tenure with a victory. However, the Tigers face a formidable opponent in their first meeting of the season. This article outlines five reasons why Auburn football could struggle against the Baylor Bears on Saturday.\n\nFirstly, Baylor's passing game could be a challenge for Auburn's defense. Last season, Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson passed for 419 yards and three touchdowns against Auburn's secondary. DJ Lagway, Baylor's new starting quarterback, is determined to make an impact and could exploit any weaknesses in Auburn's secondary.\n\nSecondly, Auburn's offensive line will be undergoing a transition. The team has brought in several talented and experienced offensive linemen via the transfer portal, but they will be playing together for the first time. If the offensive line struggles to gel, it could put undue pressure on the quarterbacks and ultimately lead to a poor performance from Auburn.\n\nThirdly, Auburn's pass rush will be a new addition to the roster. With key players Keldric Faulk and Keyron Crawford departing for the NFL, DaShawn Womack and Jared Smith will step up as the new pass rushers. If Baylor's edge rush is stronger than expected, or if Lagway is able to quickly throw the ball, Auburn could find it difficult to defend.\n\nFourthly, Dawson Pendergrass' return to the lineup could be a game-changer for Baylor. Pendergrass missed last season due to a foot injury and is expected to have a breakout year in 2026. If he and Lagway combine to pressure the Auburn defense, it could spell trouble for the Tigers' run defense.\n\nLastly, Dave Aranda's motivation to secure a victory could be a crucial factor. As Baylor's head coach, Aranda is under immense pressure to prove himself and keep his job. A win against Auburn could significantly improve his job security, leading him to bring his A-game to Atlanta. If the Bears play with high energy and determination, it could prove to be a significant obstacle for Auburn.",
  "summary": "Auburn football must avoid these roadblocks in order to beat Baylor on Saturday and to start the Alex Golesh era on a high note.",
  "key_points": [
    "Baylor's passing game could challenge Auburn's defense",
    "Auburn's offensive line transitioning with new players",
    "Dawson Pendergrass' return could impact Baylor's run defense"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}