Auburn has now officially closed out the Gus Malzahn era finishing this COVID-altered year with a 6-5 record, following a 35-19 loss to Northwestern in the Citrus Bowl. The Tigers will now look ahead to next year and the beginning of the Bryan Harsin era on the plains.
Auburn (6-4) squares off with Northwestern (6-2) to ring in the new year of 2021 on January 1st at noon central time. The Tigers will be transitioning from the Gus Malzahn era to the Bryan Harsin era, although current defensive coordinator Kevin Steele will act as the interim head coach for the Tigers in the Citrus Bowl. Auburn is making their record-tying sixth appearance in this particular bowl game.
For the first three quarters, Auburn and Mississippi State struggled in a defensive stalemate. When the offense finally arrived to Starkville in the fourth quarter, it was the Tigers' offense which shined. Auburn scored two fourth quarter touchdowns to pull away from the Bulldogs and end this COVID altered regular season on a high note with a 24-10 road triumph.
During Bo Nix's nearly two seasons as the Auburn starting quarterback, he has undeniably been a different quarterback at home vs on the road. As the Tigers' quarterback, Nix has only lost two home games. That number jumps to six losses on the road or at a neutral site.
At the end of the day, it is hard to beat a top five opponent when you allow 509 yards of total offense and 29 first downs.
Auburn faces off with a top five opponent for the second straight week when they welcome the fifth ranked Texas A&M Aggies to Jordan-Hare Stadium for an 11 a.m. kickoff on Saturday, December 4. The Aggies (6-1) enter with playoff aspirations, a five game winning streak, and a chance to beat the Tigers for the first time since 2016.
Gone are the days of low-scoring slugfests, with a stout defense, game-managing quarterback, and a hard-running tailback. Now, Alabama is better known for their aerial attack, led this year by Mac Jones and Devonta Smith, and ability to score points in bunches.
In the first quarter, Auburn seemed like a team who had not played in three weeks. However, the Tigers eventually asserted their dominance over Tennessee to pick up a 30-17 victory in their return to action.
Auburn's volleyball team will close out the fall portion of their schedule in a two match set against the Tennessee Volunteers. Wednesday's game is slated for a 7 p.m. first serve, while Thursday's game will start at 5 p.m. from Auburn Arena.
By the time the blue moon came peeking over the horizon on this Halloween evening, Auburn had thoroughly dismantled the defending national champions—the LSU Tigers. The defense looked like the dominating defense Auburn fans have come to expect under Kevin Steele, and Bo Nix totaled four touchdowns, while throwing for 300 yards and rushing for another 81.
