âGameDayâ makes bowl picks, including Auburn-Maryland, Georgia-Florida State, more
Auburn, under first-year coach Hugh Freeze, looks to finish the year strong with a seventh win, and ESPN’s College “GameDay” thinks it will happen.
The Tigers are a consensus pick by the popular pregame college football show.
Auburn faces Maryland in the Music City Bowl on Saturday at 1 p.m.
“Because Maryland doesn’t have its quarterback (Taulia Tagovailoa), I’m going Auburn,” Desmond Howard said.
“Yeah,” Pat McAfee responded. “Auburn coming off that Gravedigger play, fourth and goal from the 31. I feel like they have a lot to draw from. A lot of pull from, especially first-year coaching at a place. Going into the offseason, I think Auburn gets a big win.”
Lee Corso said Auburn’s running game will be the difference.
“That’s it,” he said. “A big one.”
Location of the game will be a factor, Kirk Herbstreit said.
“It’s basically a home game for Auburn in Nashville,” he said. “I think Auburn’s defense, special teams get some turnovers against an inexperienced quarterback. I think Auburn speed will be a big difference in the game.”
Here are the other picks:
Arizona Bowl
Toledo-Wyoming
- Howard: Wyoming
- McAfee: Wyoming
- Corso: Wyoming
- Herbstreit: Wyoming
Music City Bowl
Auburn-Maryland
- Howard: Auburn
- McAfee: Auburn
- Corso: Auburn
- Herbstreit: Auburn
Peach Bowl
Ole Miss-Penn State
- Howard: Ole Miss
- McAfee: Ole Miss
- Corso: Ole Miss
- Herbstreit: Penn State
Orange Bowl
Georgia-Florida State
- Howard: Georgia
- McAfee: Georgia
- Corso: Georgia
- Herbstreit: Georgia
Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.