FINAL Game forecast · REGULAR week 1

BaylorvsAuburn

Sat, Sep. 5 · 3:30 PM ET · Mercedes-Benz Stadium · NEUTRAL SITE

Baylor16
Auburn17
CALLED

SharpTake projected Auburn at 65%. Auburn won.

ProjectedAuburn by 8.0
ActualAuburn by 1
Difference7.0 pts
Market spreadAuburn -6.5
Vs spreadLOSSSharpTake Pick: Auburn -6.5

Pregame forecast · published before kickoff and not revised

SharpTake projects Auburn to win.

AuburnProjected winner
65%Win probability
Auburn by 8.0Projected margin

Why SharpTake leans

Why SharpTake leans Auburn

Auburn's down-to-down efficiency is the biggest reason SharpTake favors Auburn. Auburn also has the edge in running-game efficiency, while Baylor's big-play ability pushes the other way.

Down-to-down efficiency

Auburn advantage

Big-play ability

Baylor offset

Running-game efficiency

Auburn advantage

Home-field advantage

Baylor offset

On-field context

Matchup breakdown

These matchup factors describe where the teams differ on the field. They are separate from SharpTake's forecast explanation above.

Baylor run game

EDGE
Baylor offenseAuburn defense

Baylor gains enough yardage on runs for the down and distance at a rate near the FBS middle, while Auburn allows enough yardage on runs for the down and distance far less often than most FBS teams. That comparison favors Auburn.

Rushing Success Rate · 46.4%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Near the FBS middle
Rushing Success Rate allowed · 32.1%Success Rate is the share of plays that gain enough yardage for the down and distance.Among the strongest FBS results

Comparison basis · Rushing success rate vs rushing success rate allowed

Auburn explosive plays

EDGE
Auburn offenseBaylor defense

Auburn creates big-play value on successful plays less often than most FBS teams, while Baylor allows big-play value on successful plays less often than most FBS teams. That comparison favors Baylor.

Offensive Explosiveness · 1.154Explosiveness measures the value created on successful plays, showing how damaging the big gains are.Worse than most FBS teams
Explosiveness allowed · 1.162Explosiveness allowed measures the value opponents create on their successful plays.Better than most FBS teams

Comparison basis · Explosiveness vs explosiveness allowed

Baylor disruption vs Auburn

EDGE
Auburn disruption allowedBaylor disruption created

Auburn avoids tackles for loss, passes defensed, and forced fumbles at a rate near the FBS middle, while Baylor creates tackles for loss, passes defensed, and forced fumbles far less often than most FBS teams. That comparison favors Auburn.

Havoc Rate allowed · 16.8%Havoc Rate is the share of plays with a tackle for loss, pass defended, or forced fumble.Near the FBS middle
Defensive Havoc Rate · 12.3%Havoc Rate is the share of plays with a tackle for loss, pass defended, or forced fumble.Among the weakest FBS results

Comparison basis · Havoc allowed vs havoc created

Explore

Go deeper

Team reads

Position rooms

Baylor position roomsWho is on the 2026 roster and what they did in 2025; navigation, not forecast factors.
Auburn position roomsWho is on the 2026 roster and what they did in 2025; navigation, not forecast factors.
Coverage and limitations
  • Forecasts are produced only when both teams meet SharpTake's evidence requirements.
  • Player availability, injuries, weather, travel, and rest are not included.
  • Explain factors use completed 2025 team-season evidence. They describe matchup contrasts and are not causal model attribution.
  • Neither team has completed a game this season; the forecast rests on prior-season evidence.

Forecasts are model-based context, not guarantees.

Forecast model · Data cutoff Sep. 5, 2026 · 3:30 PM ET

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