Alex Golesh is the latest savior for Auburn football, taking over the program this past November after five straight losing seasons on the Plains. While the Tigers won’t likely compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff this season, there is one thing that Golesh and his staff could do to win over fans: make a bowl game, and win it.
CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford made his bowl projections following spring practice, and for the Tigers, he has them facing Virginia in the Gasparilla Bowl, which is played annually in Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.
Auburn and UVA have met once in a bowl game
It’s been three seasons since Auburn last made a bowl game, and even longer since the Tigers won a postseason game. You have to go back to the 2018 Music City Bowl when Jarrett Stidham, in his final game wearing an Auburn uniform, led the Tigers to a record-breaking 56 points in the first half against Purdue, ultimately winning the game 63-14 against the Boilermakers.
Bryan Harsin took Auburn to one bowl game, as did Hugh Freeze, but neither of the coaches was able to finish the season with a victory. In Freeze’s only bowl appearance, the Tigers got routed by Maryland in the same stadium where Stidham and Gus Malzahn pounded Purdue, never showing fight as the Terrapins took a 21-0 lead in the first quarter on their way to a 31-13 victory.
Auburn and Virginia have met in one bowl game, the 2011 Peach Bowl. After a fast start by the Cavaliers, the Tigers took control, scoring 21 points in the second quarter and winning 43-24.
The Tigers have a 24-21-2 all-time bowl record, but have lost their last four and six of their last seven appearances. The longest winning streak Auburn had in bowl games came from 2007-2011, when the Tigers won five straight, including the 2010 BCS Championship Game against Oregon.Â
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