According to FanSided’s Austen Bundy, the 2026 college football season may not mark the long-awaited resurgence for the Auburn Tigers in the debut year of head coach Alex Golesh. If Bundy’s outlook proves accurate, Auburn could once again find itself near the bottom of the SEC standings projected to rank ahead of only the Kentucky Wildcats, Arkansas Razorbacks, and Mississippi State Bulldogs.
Bundy noted that Auburn is in need of yet another program reset after previous rebuild attempts particularly under Hugh Freeze failed to deliver results. Golesh earned the Auburn job following an impressive 2025 campaign at South Florida Bulls, but concerns remain about Auburn’s inconsistent recruiting in recent years.
One bright spot is the arrival of former USF quarterback Byrum Brown, who followed Golesh to Auburn. Brown posted eye-catching numbers last season, leading all FBS quarterbacks with 42 total touchdowns and averaging 347.2 yards of offense per game, while adding more than 1,000 rushing yards. His presence certainly raises Auburn’s ceiling though Bundy frames it more as helping the Tigers avoid being “terrible” rather than becoming a true contender.
Much of Auburn’s recent struggles stem from past leadership, including Freeze and Bryan Harsin. Recruiting inconsistency — especially at quarterback plagued the program, with players like TJ Finley, Robby Ashford, Payton Thorne, and Jackson Arnold unable to provide sustained stability under center. In comparison, Brown represents a refreshing change.
While Golesh may not have landed the same high-profile recruits as Freeze once did, recent college football history shows that player development can outweigh recruiting rankings. Programs built on growth and cohesion have proven capable of surpassing more highly touted rosters.
If recent seasons were the only measuring stick, Auburn’s five-year slump might appear destined to continue. However, 2026 could look very different provided Golesh is given the autonomy to fully implement his vision for the program.
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