The Auburn Tigers are entering the final stretch of fall camp, and the upcoming week could prove to be one of the most important moments of the offseason as new head coach Alex Golesh continues building the foundation for the 2026 season.
After completing three demanding weeks of preparation — including a two-week stretch where the team stayed together at a hotel to strengthen chemistry and focus — Auburn is now shifting into what Golesh describes as a “mock game week.” The goal is to replicate the structure, intensity, and routine the players will experience once the regular season begins.
Throughout the offseason, Golesh has emphasized that one of his biggest concerns is consistency. The first-year Auburn head coach wants his players to develop the discipline needed to stay focused throughout the entire season, especially when it comes to preparation during the days leading into each game. This simulated game week is designed to establish those habits early.
“The worst thing you can do from a player perspective is have the inconsistency,” Golesh said. “One week it looks like this, the next week it looks like something different. Then you can’t put together what your process looks like, and you start wondering why you’re performing at one level one week and not the next. The challenge to the players is to make it feel as normal as possible.”
According to the Montgomery Advertiser’s Adam Cole, Auburn’s schedule for the week will include six practices and two intense on-field sessions before the Tigers wrap things up with a mock game day on Saturday. During that final simulation, the team will focus on important game-day details, including situational football, communication, and substitution decisions.
Golesh views the week as more than just a practice exercise. It will serve as a full dress rehearsal for both the players and coaching staff, giving everyone a chance to identify and fix any remaining issues before the season opener arrives.
“Treat it like a normal game week,” Golesh said. “Sometimes what happens is you treat it like a mock week and think, ‘We’ll just get to that next week.’ Or you install too much and then scale everything back, which can also hurt you in a lot of ways. I’ve been guilty of that.”
The Tigers will complete their mock game week before officially beginning preparations for their season opener against the Baylor Bears in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Sept. 5. The highly anticipated matchup is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. Central Time, marking the start of a new era of Auburn football under Golesh.