While Auburn was unranked at the end of the season in both major polls, several BCS participating computer rating systems such as Sagarin (#22),[2] Massey (#22),[3] Peter Wolfe (#25),[4] Howell (#24),[5] David Wilson (#21),[6] Team Rankings (#18)[7] and the FACT Foundation (#21)[8] included the Tigers in their final top 25 rankings.

[11] On December 3, 2008, Auburn University announced that 10-year head coach Tommy Tuberville would not return for an eleventh season.

[12] Auburn had interviewed at least eight coaches, including Buffalo's Turner Gill and TCU's Gary Patterson.

Auburn began conference play in the second week, hosting Mississippi State.

The following week, the Tigers hosted West Virginia, the second game in a home-and-home series between the two teams.