The Auburn Tigers had the chance to play in their home state at Protective Stadium for their second Birmingham Bowl since 2021, but the program opted not to play an extra game as it transitions to the Alex Golesh era.
According to On3's Justin Hokanson, "Coaching change, staff building, roster retention, players in offseason mode — a bowl trip simply wouldn’t make sense."
As On3's Brett McMurphy notes, multiple programs, including the FSU Seminoles, UCF Knights, Baylor Bears, Rutgers Scarlet Knights, Temple Owls, and Kansas Jayhawks, declined the invitation to play the Georgia Southern Eagles.
McMurphy revealed in his reporting that the only team he holds against for not accepting their bowl invite is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, who were notoriously snubbed for the College Football Playoff in favor of the Alabama Crimson Tide.
"Florida State, Auburn, UCF, Baylor & Rutgers are the 5-7 teams that declined a bowl bid, sources told On3 Sports. Of course, these teams thought season was over 2 weeks ago & players have scattered. They didn't - you know - quit because they didn't make the playoff," McMurphy wrote.
Auburn did fans wrong not accepting Birmingham Bowl invite
The Tigers didn't need to put the best squad on the field for the Birmingham Bowl. All they needed to do was give Auburn fans around the state an extra opportunity to see their team play this year. And an extra Christmas gift opportunity.
Knowing a game against Georgia Southern in what'd basically be their home field was on the table is disappointing to say the least. Seniors could've used that game, be it seniors on the team or other students who are seniors at AU.
Now, bowl season is quickly losing legitimacy as everyone deems these games unworthy of showing up and preparing for.
Notre Dame's hurt feelings make sense. Auburn's decision not to play the Birmingham Bowl makes sense in the grand scheme.
It's just disappointing, and in many ways, depressing, for College Football.