Atlanta to Host Marquee Season-Opening Matchup at Mercedes-Benz Stadium

College football's opening weekend brings a nationally watched game to Atlanta, as Baylor and Auburn meet at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the Aflac Kickoff. Baylor enters looking to avenge a home loss in last year's season opener, with head coach Dave Aranda turning to transfer quarterback DJ Lagway in hopes of recreating the form Lagway showed as a freshman standout in 2024. Auburn arrives under new head coach Alex Golesh, who takes over a program aiming to keep pace in a competitive SEC. Transfer quarterback Byrum Brown, already familiar with Golesh's offensive system, gives the Tigers a veteran presence at the position. The Atlanta showcase is one of several high-profile openers around the country this week, as the sport returns to a full schedule following last week's limited Week 0 slate. Other notable matchups include Louisville-Ole Miss in Nashville, Clemson-LSU in Baton Rouge, Boise State-Oregon in Eugene, and UCLA-Cal, each featuring new coaches, transfer quarterbacks, or postseason storylines carrying over from last season. For Atlanta football fans, the Baylor-Auburn game offers a chance to see SEC and Big 12 talent on a big stage without leaving the city, kicking off the 2026 season with local flair.