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Auburn is set to face off against UCF in the Peach Bowl on Monday. The game will take place in Atlanta, and kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. ET.
The trash talk has already gotten started as the Golden Knights’ leading rusher, Adrian Killins Jr., told the Orlando Sentinel that “Auburn hasn’t seen any speed like we have here.”
Video: @ADRIANKILLINS9 on what it will take for #UCF to upend Auburn in the @CFAPeachBowl Jan. 1 “Auburn hasn’t seen any speed like we have here.” pic.twitter.com/KTyXeqHuk7
— Shannon Green (@osknights) December 14, 2017
It was a bold move from the sophomore running back, so we decided to follow it up with 10 bold predictions of our own for the Peach Bowl.
1. Kerryon Johnson is back to his old self
There aren’t many people who would argue that Johnson’s shoulder injury didn’t play a part in Auburn’s poor performance in the SEC Championship Game.
He rushed for only 44 yards on 13 carries (an average of 3.4 yards) despite rushing for 167 yards on 32 carries (5.2-yard average) against the same Georgia team only three weeks before.
After having close to a month to heal up, Johnson returns to the same workhorse role that saw him rack up 1,276 yards and 17 touchdowns in 10 games.
2. UCF jumps out to an early lead
This UCF offense is explosive to say the least. They’re the No. 1 scoring offense in the country (49.4 points per game) and sit at No. 5 in total offense with 540.4 yards per game.
The Tigers aren’t exactly thrilled to be back in Atlanta with something less than the national championship on the line, which gives the Golden Knights the perfect opportunity to pounce early.
3. Holland breaks Auburn’s single-season sack record
Jeff Holland’s emergence has been crucial to Auburn’s success defensively. He’s tied for second in the SEC in sacks (9) while also leading the Tigers in QB hurries (22) — the next closest player has six.
While UCF’s offensive line is tied for No. 6 in the nation in sacks allowed (12), Holland has a chance to make history if he can get after the quarterback.
Nick Fairley holds the single-season sack record for Auburn with the 11.5 he produced during the team’s national championship run in 2010. Holland breaks that record with a multi-sack performance against the Golden Knights.
4. Milton out-produces Stidham
McKenzie Milton has been one of college football’s most dynamic quarterbacks this season. He’s thrown for 3,795 yards and 35 touchdowns — tied for No. 6 in the country. His 69.2 completion percentage is second best in the nation behind only Baker Mayfield (71 percent).
Milton has also managed to rack up close to 500 yards (497) on the ground in addition to seven touchdowns — making him a true dual-threat.
If Auburn gets ahead, it will start to lean on Johnson’s legs rather than Jarrett Stidham’s arm. UCF, on the other hand, will turn to Milton — allowing him to put up better numbers than Stidham.
5. Auburn forces a special teams turnover …
Out of 130 FBS teams, Auburn is one of only 14 that has given up two or more kickoff returns of 70-plus yards. They’ve also given up a punt return that went for 70-plus yards as well.
As bad as the Tigers have been on coverage units this season, the special teams finds a way to create a turnover against UCF.
6. … but gives up a touchdown as well
That doesn’t mean Auburn’s coverage units won’t give up a touchdown, however.
UCF has two kickoff returns that have gone for 90-plus yards, tied for No. 5 in the country. It also is tied at No. 5 in punt returns of 30-plus yards (3). The Knights will break one against the Tigers.
7. UCF’s defense surrenders more yards than Auburn’s
Of the nine bowl games left, Odds Shark has the Auburn-UCF matchup with the second highest over/under at 63 points. Based of of their calculations, that’s not nearly high enough — they predict a 43.1-40.4 win for Auburn (83.5 total points).
If it does end up being that high-scoring, the offensive yardage could be absurd as well.
Auburn’s defense is respectable — No. 12 in total defense (312.3 yards per game).
UCF’s defense? Not so much. They’re ranked No. 96 in total defense — giving up 428.6 yards per game.
The Golden Knights may have a more explosive offense, but they’ll surrender more yards than they earn.
8. Ryan Davis sets a career-high in receptions
It’ll only have been just over five weeks since Davis set his career mark in receptions (11) and receiving yards (139) against Alabama in the Iron Bowl.
He followed it up with another performance in which he led the Tigers in receptions (7) and yards (65) against Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. In fact, the next closest Auburn player only had two catches.
The Peach Bowl is going to include fireworks, so don’t be surprised if Stidham’s chemistry with Davis continues en route to another career day for the junior receiver.
9. Auburn hands UCF its first loss of the season …
UCF is the last undefeated team in the FBS. Expect that to change in the Peach Bowl. The champions of the American Athletic Conference will find success offensively. But it won’t be enough.
10. … and it’s a sizable loss at that
There will be some early back-and-forth, but the Tigers’ defense settles down and creates enough stops to produce some separation on the scoreboard.
Don’t be surprised if Auburn wins by more than two scores.
Scott Frost’s final game as UCF’s head coach is his lone disappointment of the season. He sets off for Nebraska as the Golden Knights’ future looks a little more bleak despite a lot of returning starters on offense.
Clint helps cover the SEC West for Saturday Down South. His work can also be found on USA TODAY Sports, The 'Bama Beat podcast and The Bullpen with TonyMac and The Lamb. Previous stops include SEC Country, 247Sports and Touchdown Alabama Magazine.
