2011 Chick-Fil-A Bowl Preview
Posted 12/7/2011
The Auburn Tigers will face off against the Virginia Cavaliers at the Georgia Dome in the Chick-fil-A Bowl on December 31 at 7:30.
For Auburn, it's been a tough fall from grace. Just a year ago, they beat Alabama and won the SEC and national championship behind an unbelievable season from Cam Newton. This year, they were fortunate to escape with some early victories and then tried to hold serve against the other powerhouses of the SEC.
Meanwhile, Virginia has really turned things around in just the second year under head coach Mike London. The team is playing in a quality bowl game and had a chance to play for the ACC championship had they been able to knock off rival Virginia Tech in the season finale.
Both teams come limping into the bowl season, with Auburn getting blown out in three of its last four games and Virginia being dealt a heavy dose of reality in a beatdown at the hands of the Hokies.
This will be an interesting test for both Virginia and the ACC. Can one of the better teams from their league this year knock off an Auburn team that is having a down season and was very much in the middle of the SEC pack?
I still think Auburn has entirely too much speed for the Cavaliers, though both teams will greatly benefit from the extra month of practice considering all the young guys on each roster.
Prediction: Auburn 27, Virginia 16