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First Look: Auburn Faces a Rebuilding Samford Team
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- First Look: Auburn Faces a Rebuilding Samford Team
First Look: Auburn Faces a Rebuilding Samford Team
(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
The Auburn Tigers football season can't come soon enough.
As exciting as the offseason has been on the Plains with the arrival of Alex Golesh as head coach, multiple big-time transfers from the portal, and the momentum growing from the upcoming 2027 recruiting class, nothing beats the opening kickoff.
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As we patiently wait for September 5 to roll around, Auburn Roundtable has launched an Offseason Opponent Preview for the Tigers upcoming season. Over the next few weeks, we will break down each one of Auburn's games on the schedule.
Let's get to it.
Week 11: November 21, 2026, 2:30 PM CT
Auburn vs. Samford
Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama
Past History with Samford:It's a near-clean sweep for the Tigers in this series as Auburn has won every game but one against Samford in 31 tries. That sole game that didn't go in Auburn's favor didn't go in Samfords either, it was a tie back in 1927. The last game was in 2023, and the Tigers won 45-13
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Samford Snapshot:After a 1-11 season that prompted a coaching change, Samford enters 2026 in the middle of a complete rebuild under first-year head coach John Grass. Early signs from spring suggest the defense is ahead of the offense, but plenty of work remains for a program that was among the worst in the FCS in 2025. Wide receiver Preston Bird returns as the offense's top proven playmaker, but this is largely a young team still searching for consistency. Samford should be improved from a year ago simply because of the coaching change and influx of talent, but it remains a program very much in the early stages of a rebuild.
Key Matchups:Samford's biggest question entering the season is at quarterback, where multiple players remain in the mix after spring practice. Whoever wins the job will be operating behind an offense that is still developing under a new coaching staff. Gabbarri Johnson transferred there from Oregon State but was injured during the spring game. Fall camp will be crucial with the program's early success.
Interesting Storyline to Watch:The biggest storyline surrounding Samford is how quickly first-year head coach John Grass can accelerate the rebuild. He has completely reshaped the roster with an influx of transfers and freshmen while working to establish a more physical culture. The Bulldogs aren't expected to be a contender this year and have a ways to go, but progress will certainly be the answer. Having this game late in the season might be a good indicator of how the rebuild is coming along.
Game Importance Ranking:When considering the 12-game schedule as a whole, this feels like the least important game of the season. This should be an easy win for the Auburn Tigers as it is the only FCS game of the year. The more important factor is ensuring they stay healthy for the following final game of the season.
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What's Next:The Auburn Tigers will end the regular season in Tuscaloosa as they will take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Iron Bowl.
Be sure to check out Auburn Roundtable for more Offseason Opponent Previews as well as other original content daily.
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