SEC Football: Previewing the New Year’s Day SEC bowl games

By Abbey Giese | Dec 22, 2017

TAMPA, FL - JANUARY 09: Head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide talks with head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers after the Tigers defeated the Crimson Tide 35-31 in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium on January 9, 2017 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

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Peach Bowl

The No. 7 Auburn Tigers (10-3, 7-2 SEC) will face the No. 12 UCF Knights (12-0, 9-0 AAC) in the Peach Bowl in front of a sold out crowd in Atlanta, Ga.

UCF running back Adrian Killens has already provided the Tigers with enough bulletin board material.

UCF RB Adrian Killins says Auburn is in for a "rude awakening." pic.twitter.com/RZ8BvIju6h
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 15, 2017

Killens will likely end up regretting this comment. The SEC has more than enough speed, and Auburn’s Kerryon Johnson is one of the best in the conference.

Johnson has 17 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards this season. He suffered a shoulder injury in the final game of the regular season against Alabama and was limited in the SEC Championship game. But he is expected to be available for the Peach Bowl.

Auburn’s defense will also give them an advantage. The Tigers allow an average of 17.3 points per game. They are No. 10 in the FBS for opponent points per game.

However, the undefeated Knights will have something to prove in this game. Many analysts and reporters argued that UCF deserved a better ranking in the final College Football Playoff poll. Some went so far to say they deserved a playoff berth.

However, Auburn has plenty of experience with beating undefeated teams. The Tigers upset both Georgia and Alabama in the regular season.

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