Virginia vs. Auburn
Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN
At Atlanta
A year after capturing the crystal football, the Tigers (7-5) find themselves hanging out with the “Eat Mor Chikin Cowz.” That ain’t bad actually, considering the massive rebuilding project that Gene Chizik was saddled with.
The Cavaliers (8-4) are another team that we count among 2011’s overachievers. Mike London deserves every square inch of that ACC coach of the year trophy after being picked to finish ahead of only Duke in the Coastal Division.
After the impressive 16-13 victory at South Carolina that boosted Auburn to 4-1, the remainder of the schedule followed a lose-win-lose-win pattern.
A 42-14 loss to Alabama in the regular-season finale means that a victory is next up, but we base that prediction mostly on all the extra practices that Tiger sophomore quarterback Clint Moseley will have under his belt by the time New Year’s Eve rolls around.
Opening point spread: Auburn by 1
The pick: Auburn 23-19
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