The Southeastern Conference (SEC) has officially announced the kickoff times and television broadcast details for the first three weeks of the 2025 college football season, providing Auburn University fans with the opportunity to prepare and organize their plans for the fall. This announcement sheds light on Auburn’s early-season schedule, giving insight into when and where the Tigers will take the field and how fans can watch the games.
Auburn University will begin its 2025 football campaign with a rare Friday night matchup on August 29. The Tigers will be traveling to Waco, Texas, to take on Baylor University in what promises to be an exciting non-conference showdown. This primetime game is scheduled to kick off at 7:00 p.m. Central Time and will be broadcast nationally on FOX. The contest will mark just the fifth meeting ever between Auburn and Baylor, with the most recent encounter dating all the way back to 1976. The long gap between games and the rarity of Friday night action adds a unique flair to the season opener, generating additional anticipation for both teams and their fan bases.
Following their trip to Texas, the Tigers will return home for their first game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Auburn will welcome Ball State on Saturday, September 6, in what will be their home opener. For the second consecutive year, Auburn’s first home game will be played under the lights, as kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. Central Time. The game will be televised on ESPNU, giving fans across the country a chance to watch the Tigers play in front of a home crowd. Auburn has a rich history of success in home openers, boasting an impressive all-time record of 106 wins, 16 losses, and 3 ties in such games. The matchup against Ball State provides an opportunity to extend that tradition of early-season success at home.
In the third week of the season, Auburn will remain on home turf as they face off against South Alabama. This game is particularly significant as it has been designated as the school’s Homecoming game for 2025. The Tigers and the Jaguars are scheduled to square off on Saturday, September 13, with kickoff set for 11:45 a.m. Central Time. Fans will be able to catch the action on the SEC Network. Notably, this will be the first ever football game between Auburn and South Alabama, adding a sense of novelty and excitement to the occasion. The Homecoming festivities, combined with the new matchup, should make for a memorable weekend on campus.
These initial game announcements help set the tone for the start of Auburn’s 2025 football season. Knowing the kickoff times and television partners in advance allows fans, students, and alumni to make travel arrangements, plan tailgates, and schedule watch parties accordingly. The early release of this information is especially beneficial for Auburn’s out-of-town supporters who often make the trip to home and away games to support their team.
In addition to the information for the first three games, the SEC has indicated that the television broadcast windows for the remainder of the season’s SEC-controlled games will be made public in June. Some games throughout the season will be designated as “Flex” games, meaning their exact kickoff times could fall into either the afternoon or evening slots, depending on various factors such as team performance, game significance, and television network preferences. These Flex games allow networks more scheduling flexibility to showcase the most compelling matchups as the season progresses.
This early-season schedule provides Auburn with a mix of challenges and opportunities. Opening against Baylor presents a tough test on the road against a Power Five opponent, but it also offers the Tigers a chance to make an early statement on national television. The return home to face Ball State provides a good opportunity to fine-tune the team’s performance before taking on South Alabama during Homecoming weekend, a game that will bring alumni and fans back to campus in celebration.
With kickoff times confirmed for the first three weeks and more announcements expected soon, Auburn fans can now begin marking their calendars and getting excited for another season of Tiger football. Whether tuning in from home, traveling to Waco, or preparing for Homecoming festivities, there’s plenty for the Auburn community to look forward to as the 2025 season approaches.
