Auburn football is gaining confidence after snapping a four-game losing streak last Saturday by taking down Kentucky on the road, 24-10.
The win was needed from a momentum standpoint, but the Tigers still need to win three of the next four games to qualify for a bowl game. Auburn’s next opportunity to claim bowl eligibility comes Saturday morning when the Tigers host Vanderbilt for an 11:45 a.m. CT kickoff at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Vanderbilt will enter the game with a 5-3 record, holding a win over then-No. 1 Alabama and most recently losing a tight game to No. 6 Texas in Nashville. The Commodores are much better than its previous teams, but a loss to Vanderbilt would be detrimental to Auburn’s season says one ESPN analyst.
Radio show host and ESPN college football expert Paul Finebaum was a guest on a recent episode of the Andy and Ari podcast from On3, where he provided insight into several upcoming college football games including Auburn’s tilt with Vanderbilt. Finebaum says that he gives credit to Auburn head coach [autotag]Hugh Freeze[/autotag] for “saving the season” with a win over Kentucky, but their road to bowl eligibility is anything but easy from here on out.
“But I think a loss (to Vanderbilt) would be pretty punishing though,” Finebaum said. “The only thing that you could say is Vandy is a lot better than they used to be. Ultimately, if he lost this game, he still has (Texas A&M) and Alabama. So, do the math. That’s easily what I would call a disastrous season. ULM is actually competitive, too.”
After Vanderbilt, Auburn will enjoy its second bye-week of the season before hosting ULM and No. 11 Texas A&M, then will travel to Tuscaloosa to battle rival, No. 14 Alabama, in the Iron Bowl. The combined record of Auburn’s final three opponents is 18-5, which will provide a challenge to a team that is looking to win six games. A win over Vanderbilt will not qualify the Tigers for a bowl but will make its road to eligibility easier.
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