WOW: Auburn will play Baylor in Atlanta, not at home, and people are MAD about it

In this bonus episode of Locked On Auburn, host Zac Blackerby is joined by Ben Taylor of Auburn Opelika This Morning to break down Auburn's controversial decision to move its highly anticipated home game against Baylor to Atlanta. The duo discusses the fallout from the move, including the overwhelming frustration among local Auburn businesses, die-hard fans, and season ticket holders who feel blindsided and disappointed. Zac and Ben dive into the financial motivations behind the decision, with Auburn estimating a $5 million NIL windfall for student-athletes, but question if the athletic department overlooked the damaging impact to the Auburn-Opelika community—potentially costing local businesses millions during one of the year's biggest weekends. They share firsthand insights from conversations with local hotel and tourism leaders, highlight the lack of communication from Auburn’s administration, and debate whether the move sets a new precedent for neutral-site games in college football's NIL era. Is this the new normal, and what does it mean for fan loyalty and local economies moving forward? Tune in for an honest, candid conversation about the changing landscape of college football, the balance between supporting athletes and honoring loyal fans, and what might come next for Auburn’s scheduling decisions. Don’t miss this must-listen episode for Auburn fans, local business owners, and anyone interested in the intersection of college sports, community, and big-money decisions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.