Auburn's home opener against Ball State is Saturday

September 6, 2025 – Auburn University football holds its opening game in the familiar confines of Jordan Hare Stadium. The Tigers won an impressive victory over Baylor on the road to open the season – a game many pundits expected to be far closer than it is. Ball State is Auburn's second opponent.

Ball State football is in a transitional phase this season under new head coach Mike Uremovich, a Purdue alum who took over after a tough 3–9 campaign in 2024. The Cardinals compete in the Mid-American Conference (MAC), West Division, and play their home games at Scheumann Stadium in Muncie, Indiana.

Ball State opened their season last week with a 31–0 loss to Purdue.

Ball State did not accomplish a lot in the season opener so are looking to perform better this week.

Quarterback Kiael Kelly is a fifth-year senior who's been with Ball State his entire college career. He is a dual-threat quarterback who can make plays with his legs. His top target is expected to be tight end Koby Gross a transfer from Florida A&M.

Ball State has a 1 and 8 bowl record all time.

They are stepping up in class this week and appears to have little, if any, chance against Auburn this week. Some lines had Auburn favored by 42.5 points. The probability of an Auburn victory, according to the computers, is 100 percent based on per Dimers' simulation model after 10,000 game simulations.

Auburn quarterback Jackson Arnold is coming off of a 137 yard two touchdown performance against Baylor. He likely won't do that this week – not because Ball State is capable of stopping him but because the coaches will likely pull him and other starters early in this one. Auburn fans will likely get their first look at five star freshman Deuce Knight today.

Auburn is one of the top rushing teams in the country and Ball State does not have the physicality or speed to stop Auburn's run game when it gets to running the rock. Auburn scored 38 points last week against Baylor; while Ball State could not find the end zone against Purdue – roughly similar competition.

Jordan-Hare Stadium is one of the loudest and most intimidating venues in college football.

Auburn plays South Alabama on Sept. 13-another matchup against a lower eschelon (at least on paper) opponent. The SEC will get rid of one of these "cupcake" games next year when the conference increases the number of conference games from 8 to 9.

Auburn Coach Hugh Freeze is in his third year on the Plains and is looking to add victories as the Tigers were not bowl eligible last season – a circumstance that both Auburn's Coach and fans hope to avoid in 2025.

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