Auburn football will start the 2025 season on the big stage.

The Tigers are set to face Baylor in Week 1, a Power Four road game on a Friday before most of college football kicks off the season the next day.

It’s the first time Auburn has played a Power Four team in the season opener since 2020, a season in which Guz Malzahn was the head coach and the Tigers were playing an SEC-only schedule due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Auburn opened the 2024 season against Alabama A&M, an FCS opponent that the Tigers pounded 73-3. One week later, Auburn lost a 21-14 turnover fest against Cal.

With the Power Four test coming in Week 1 — and on the road — it changes how the team approaches fall camp.

“There’s no question that our focus throughout fall camp should be heightened,” head coach Hugh Freeze said at SEC Media Days. “This is not a game that you open up with and you sleepwalk at all and expect to win, and that sense of urgency should be seen all throughout camp as we get ready for that one.”

Freeze called the game “vital,” as it could set the tone for a season in which Auburn expects take a step forward following two seven-loss seasons under Freeze. Baylor finished the 2024 season 85, winning its final six regular season games in a row before losing its bowl game to LSU.

“We’re going to be playing in a difficult environment against a really good football team as well, coached by Dave Aranda,” Freeze said. “I kind of get excited about that, and I think our kids will follow.”

Auburn will officially begin fall camp on July 29, exactly one month before the season opener at Baylor on Aug. 29. That game is scheduled for 7 p.m. CT and will be televised on Fox.

Peter Rauterkus covers Auburn sports for AL.com. You can follow him on X at @peter_rauterkus or email him at [email protected]m