Auburn's football season kicks off with a highly anticipated home game, and the details are now confirmed. The Tigers will host the Southern Miss Golden Eagles on Saturday, September 12, with the game set to begin at 6:45 p.m. CT. Fans can catch all the action live on the SEC Network, ensuring widespread coverage of this exciting matchup. This announcement provides clarity for supporters eager to mark their calendars for the start of the team's home schedule.
Auburn vs. Southern Miss: Game Day Details
The clash between the Auburn Tigers and the Southern Miss Golden Eagles is scheduled for Saturday, September 12, at 6:45 p.m. CT. The game will be held at the iconic Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, a familiar battleground for these two teams. This marks the 24th time Auburn and Southern Miss have faced each other on the gridiron, with 21 of those previous encounters taking place at Auburn's home stadium. Historically, their rivalry includes a period of annual games from 1988 to 1993, though meetings have been less frequent since the early 90s. Notably, Southern Miss secured victories in 1990 and 1991 by a single point in each game, but Auburn has since dominated the series, winning the last four matchups in 1992, 1993, 2008, and 2018. The upcoming 2026 game is classified as a "buy game," with Southern Miss receiving $1.5 million from Auburn for their participation at Jordan-Hare Stadium. This arrangement highlights the strategic scheduling decisions made by college football programs. The complete Auburn football schedule for 2026 includes several other key matchups: September 5 vs. Baylor in Atlanta (2:30 p.m. CT, ABC), September 19 vs. Florida (6 p.m. CT, ESPN), September 26 vs. Vanderbilt (TBA), October 3 at Tennessee (TBA), October 17 at Georgia (TBA), October 24 vs. LSU (TBA, ESPN/ABC), October 31 at Ole Miss (TBA), November 7 vs. Arkansas (TBA), November 14 at Mississippi State (TBA), November 21 vs. Samford (2:30 p.m. CT, SEC Network+), and November 28 at Alabama (TBA).
This early season game holds particular significance as it sets the tone for Auburn's home campaign. The determination of a specific kickoff time and television network underscores the importance of this fixture in the college football landscape. For the Auburn Tigers, securing a decisive victory against Southern Miss will be crucial for building momentum and confidence as they navigate a challenging 2026 schedule, filled with formidable opponents both within and outside their conference.
