Auburn football is two days away from meeting Baylor at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas, to kick off the season. A win at Baylor would put Auburn on the right path to return to bowl season for the first time since the 2023 season.
Many projections point to Auburn doing just that this season, including USA TODAY Sports, which has forecasted Auburn to clash with an ACC team in a bowl game. Heading into week one of the college football season, Erick Smith of USA TODAY Sports pits Auburn and Virginia Tech together this postseason to meet at the Birmingham Bowl, which is scheduled to be played on Monday, Dec. 29, at Protective Stadium in Birmingham, Alabama.
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Should this projection come true, it would mark the third time in program history that the Tigers have played in the game, and the first since the 2021 season. Auburn defeated Memphis, 31-10, in the 2015 game played at Legion Field in Birmingham behind a 252-yard rushing output by Auburn’s offense. Running back Jovon Robinson won the bowl MVP after rushing for 126 yards and a touchdown in Auburn’s win. Auburn then stumbled in the 2021 Birmingham Bowl against Houston, 17-13, despite leading 13-10 going into the 4th quarter.
Auburn’s history with Virginia Tech is brief, with the Tigers holding a 3-1-1 advantage over the Hokies historically. The last game played between the two took place in the 2004 Sugar Bowl, with Auburn winning 16-13 to cap off an undefeated season, which led to a claimed national championship.
Auburn will look to improve its bowl stock each week as it aims to reach College Football Playoff eligibility for the first time. Their journey begins Friday at 7 p.m. CT when they face Baylor on FOX.
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This article originally appeared on Auburn Wire: USA TODAY projects Auburn to face Virginia Tech in Birmingham Bowl
