Ahead of Auburn's Music City Bowl matchup with Maryland, here's what some of our sports staff has to say about the game, complete with score predictions and analysis.
Jacob Waters, Sports Editor: Auburn 27-20
"With the significant bowl opt-outs Maryland will have to handle, I think Auburn will end the 2023 season on a high note. With the number of Auburn receivers who are already in the transfer portal, I don’t expect Auburn to throw the ball around a lot, but I do expect the Tigers to use the legs of Payton Thorne, Jarquez Hunter and Damari Alston.
With D.J. James and Nehemiah Pritchett opting out of the bowl game, I think we’ll get to see freshman Kayin Lee and Keionte Scott, who’s making the move to cornerback, prove that Auburn’s cornerback room will continue to be in good hands next season. Overall, I think we’ll see Auburn use some new faces and a strong run attack as the Tigers win their first bowl game since 2018."
Matthew Wallace, Assistant Sports Editor: Auburn 28-17
"In Auburn's last trip to the Titans' Nissan Stadium, it set numerous Music City Bowl records that stand to this day in the rout of Purdue in 2018. It will be tough to replicate a performance like that, but behind what should be a pro-Auburn crowd, the Tigers have a good chance to claim win No. 800 in program history.
So much of Maryland's offense utilized the arm of Taulia Tagovailoa. With the quarterback opting out of the game, Maryland may play multiple quarterbacks but Tagovailoa's production cannot be replaced – the three quarterbacks behind him combined for 41 pass yards. Meanwhile, Auburn is thin at the receiver position due to a plethora of receivers entering the transfer portal but the Tigers' rush attack, led by Jarquez Hunter, has proven it can carry the load. I expect a big day for Hunter and an important win for the Auburn program moving forward."
Grace Heim, Sports Reporter: Auburn 28-21
"The Auburn Tigers are looking to win their first bowl game since 2018. With a chance to secure a winning record, I expect the Tigers to rely heavily on their run game and for running back Jarquez Hunter to have a big game. With the Terrapins’ starting quarterback opting out of their bowl game, Auburn’s defense should have little problem stopping Maryland in the air—where the Terrapins have succeeded most this season.
Overall, if Payton Thorne plays a consistent game and the Tiger defense keeps Maryland’s passing game from performing, Auburn should have no problem securing their first bowl win under head coach Hugh Freeze."
Tyler Raley, Sports Writer: Auburn 27-23
"Auburn is returning to the Music City Bowl for the first time since its 2018 thrashing of Purdue, impressing the large Tiger contingency that was in attendance. With a large portion of the fan base expected again this year, the Tigers should be in a great position to feel at home and take its first bowl win since that Purdue game.
With Maryland quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa opting out of the game, the Terrapin offense will be extremely limited through the air, which is where the majority of its yards came from. The running game, on the other hand, was severely limited, only averaging 108.9 yards per game. Auburn's defensive front has a great chance to prove itself, even without Marcus Harris. I expect the Auburn running game to pose its will offensively after having a dominant season. This should push the offense to a strong showing, even with some new faces on the field. I expect the performance from the Tigers to be much better than what the scoreboard shows, which should propel them with great motivation for the 2024 season."
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