TAMPA, FLORIDA – JULY 21: Head Coach Alex Golesh of the Auburn Tiger speaks at SEC Football Media Day at Tampa Marriott Water Street on July 21, 2026 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images)
Auburn Looks to Stun Top-Seeded Alabama
Auburn is looking to upset top-seeded Alabama in the upcoming football season, with new head coach Alex Golesh at the helm.
Auburn's coaching instability has been accompanied by similar quarterbacking difficulties. The team has fielded a bunch of replacement-level guys with the career longevity of a World War I fighter pilot.
To stop the bleeding under center, Golesh is bringing along Byrum Brown from South Florida. Brown is absolutely the best athlete the Barners have had at QB since Jarrett Stidham, if not since Cam Newton.
Golesh's teams employ a veer-and-shoot offense that requires sharp timing and good decision-making skills on the part of the receivers. The scheme evolved out of the similarly named run-and-shoot and borrows elements of the air raid.
Auburn's offense has been struggling, and the team is looking to improve under Golesh's leadership. The new coach has a history of success with his veer-and-shoot offense.
Golesh is bringing four of his top five receivers from USF to Auburn, which should help the team's passing attack get up to speed quickly.
Auburn's top five receivers from last year are all playing elsewhere in 2026, but the team has some new talent coming in. Two of the new wideouts have the incredible names of Chas Nimrod and Christian Neptune.
The team's new quarterback, Byrum Brown, had a breakout year in 2023, passing for 3,292 yards and rushing for 809 more on the ground. His 2024 season was cut short with a leg injury, but last year, he became only the second NCAA quarterback (after Jayden Daniels) to pass for more than 3,000 yards while running for more than 1,000.
Golesh's experience with the veer-and-shoot offense could be a game-changer for Auburn. The team has been struggling to find consistency on offense, and Golesh's system could be just what they need.
The Deep South's Oldest Rivalry between Auburn and Georgia is a storied one, with the two teams having met 130 times. Auburn has struggled against their rivals in recent years, but with Golesh at the helm, the team is looking to turn things around.
Auburn's fans are eager to see the team's new offense in action, and the team is looking to improve on last year's 5-7 record. The team's first game is against Georgia on September 10.
Source: Yahoo Sports