Sept. 8, 2026Updated Sept. 9, 2026, 3:43 p.m. ET
Most Auburn football fans would describe the Tigers’ Week 1 win over Baylor as “ugly.” However, a few people, including some in the national media, viewed the win as Auburn taking a giant step forward.
Following the first full weekend of college football, the Auburn Tigers check in at No. 39 in the latest USA TODAY Sports 1-138 re-rank by Paul Myerberg, climbing a whopping 24 spots from last week’s initial ranking. Auburn is one of 12 teams to advance at least 20 spots following Week 1’s results.
Despite the loss, Baylor moved four spots to No. 49. LSU cracked the top 10, rising to No. 8 of this week’s rankings after throttling Clemson in Baton Rouge.
Virginia moved into the top 25 by advancing 19 places to No. 25. Beyond the top 25, Nevada was this week’s biggest mover; it jumped 52 spots to No. 75 after its 49-14 win over Conference USA favorite Western Kentucky. Colorado’s win over Georgia Tech moved it up 45 spots to No. 59, and UMass jumped to No. 98, rising 40 spots after upsetting Rutgers.
Auburn football now shifts its focus to Southern Miss, which stays put at No. 125 this week despite blowing out Alcorn State to open the season. The Tigers and Golden Eagles will battle on Saturday at 6:45 p.m. CT inside Jordan-Hare Stadium. Contact/Follow us @ TheAuburnWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on X @TaylorJones__
