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Auburn did not meet expectations this year, falling to 6-6 and sneaking into a bowl game. Certainly, there does not seem to be much excitement about the upcoming trip to the nearby Birmingham Bowl against Memphis.
For a big-time program like Auburn, there is a bit of disappointment in being a lower tiered bowl game.
The defense is not viewing things that way. They are not sad at all about the destination. They are more excited for the challenge.
“People may look at it like we’re going to the Birmingham Bowl, so we should be sad about it, but it’s an opportunity for us to go against a top-5 draft pick for our defense,” Auburn middle linebacker Justin Garrett told AL.com. “That motivates me enough to get out there and go hard every day.”
It will be an interesting matchup between the Auburn defense and Memphis quarterback Paxton Lynch.
Lynch has not declared for the NFL Draft yet but is slated as one of the top underclassmen prospects at quarterback. He threw for 3,670 yards, 28 touchdowns and just three interceptions for Memphis. The Tigers offensive attack will certainly provide a big challenge to the Auburn defense.
There is not much time to be sad if Auburn wants to win the game.
