Auburn vs. South Alabama: In-State Showdown Set for Saturday

AUBURN, AL - September 13, 2025 - Jordan-Hare Stadium will be rocking Saturday afternoon as the No. 24 Auburn Tigers (2–0) host the South Alabama Jaguars (1–1) in a first-ever gridiron meeting between the two Alabama programs. Kickoff is set for 11:45 a.m. CT on SEC Network, and while Auburn enters as a 24.5-point favorite, South Alabama brings enough firepower to keep things interesting.

This non-conference clash serves as Auburn's final tune-up before diving into a brutal SEC stretch, while South Alabama hopes to make history with an upset that would reverberate across the state.

Auburn's Momentum: Balanced and Explosive

The Tigers are coming off a dominant 42–3 win over Ball State, where quarterback Jackson Arnold dazzled with 251 passing yards and three touchdowns on 85.7% accuracy. Arnold's dual-threat ability has been a revelation, and he's supported by a potent ground game led by Jeremiah Cobb, who's averaging 7.2 yards per carry and has already scored three times.

Cam Coleman and Eric Singleton Jr. anchor the receiving corps, while Auburn's defense has quietly become one of the stingiest in the country-allowing just 13.5 points per game and ranking second nationally in rushing defense.

But penalties remain a concern. Auburn is averaging 74 penalty yards per game, ranking 120th in the FBS. Head coach Hugh Freeze emphasized discipline in practice this week, knowing that mental mistakes could open the door for a scrappy Jaguars squad.

South Alabama's Challenge: Air It Out and Stay Composed

Led by head coach Major Applewhite, South Alabama enters the game with confidence despite a narrow 33–31 loss to Tulane last week. Quarterback Bishop Davenport has been sharp, completing over 76% of his passes for 397 yards and four touchdowns without a single interception. His chemistry with wideout Devin Voisin-who's racked up 221 yards and three scores-is a key storyline heading into Saturday.

Running back Kentrel Bullock adds balance to the offense, averaging 117 yards per game on the ground. But the Jaguars' defense has struggled, especially against the run, allowing over 200 rushing yards per game. That vulnerability could be exploited by Auburn's deep backfield.

Still, South Alabama boasts a +2 turnover margin and ranks among the top 25 nationally in takeaways. If they can force Auburn into mistakes and capitalize on short fields, they'll have a chance to stay within striking distance.