GDW Analysis:
Southeastern Conference football is off and running in 2025 play.
Auburn Tigers made it happen Friday evening in Waco by defeating Baylor University 38 to 24.
It was not the same for No. 8 Alabama. The Crimson Tide went into a lull after an early lead and never recovered, falling to Florida State 31 to 17 at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee.
Auburn:
New Auburn QB Jackson Arnold blended in solid rushing and passing with the Tigers getting a 24 yard TD by Arnold and running scores from Damari Alston and Jeremiah Cobb as they led 17 to 10 at halftime and 31 to 17 entering the final period.
A 98 yard kickoff return for a score from Rayshawn Pleasant late in the 3rd was a boost for the Tigers to keep the Bears at arms length in the 4th.
The finale to the end zone was Arnold going 27 yards on a 4th & 2 play with 4:32 remaining.
That enabled the Tigers to lead by 2 touchdowns and keep it that way for the rest of the encounter.
Arnold ran for 137 yards and 2 TDs in handling the QB position very smooth for Huge Freeze.
Arnold threw for 108 yards on 11 of 17 attempts and suffered no interceptions.
Alabama:
Alabama was impressive with a 16 play, 75 yard TD drive to lead Florida State 7 to 0 in the first quarter.
Florida State would score 24 unanswered points between the first and third to stun the Crimson Tide as they lose a season opener for the first time since 2001.
After Alabama had narrowed the lead to 24 to 17 early in the 4th, Florida State went 75 yards in 10 plays for the clinching score.
Alabama was unable to maintain potential scoring drives from there.
Ty Simpson in his first start for Kalen DeBoer was 23 of 43 for 254 yards and 2 TDs.
A problem was in the Alabama defense, allowing Florida State 247 yards rushing and 152 passing for 399 yards total.
The FSU running attack accounted for 13 of 20 first downs.
Alabama was only 2 of 5 in 4th down plays for the game, 40 percent.
Up next:
Auburn vs. Ball State Saturday 6:30 from Jordan Hare Stadium/Pat Dye Field (92.1 FM)
Alabama vs. ULM Saturday 6:45 from Nick Saban Field/Bryant Denny Stadium.
Photo of a happy Auburn Tiger locker room after a 38 to 24 victory over Baylor University August 29 in Waco, Texas.
Photo courtesy of Auburn Tigers football.
