Auburn vs. Maryland: Music City Bowl prediction, pick

Predictions for the 2023 Music City Bowl as Auburn and Maryland meet in this Big Ten vs. SEC clash during College Football Bowl Season

The second half of College Football Bowl Season is underway with mostly Power Five teams getting back on the field across the country as we draw closer to the new year. Saturday football action brings us an intriguing Big Ten vs. SEC matchup live from Nashville as Auburn takes on Maryland in the 2023 Music City Bowl game.

• Auburn: First-year coach Hugh Freeze finished 6-6 with a loss to New Mexico State at home as 31-point favorites and to rival Alabama after an improbable fourth and goal play from 31 yards out in the waning minute of the Iron Bowl
• Maryland: Terrapins started 5-0 on the year, but a loss to Ohio State was the first of four straight defeats and 5 losses in the last 7 games to finish 7-5

Auburn vs. Maryland prediction, preview

When: Sat., Dec. 30
Time: 2 p.m. Eastern
TV: ABC network
Stream live: fuboTV (Try for free)

Music City Bowl game odds

Courtesy of SI Sportsbook

Line: Auburn -6.5
Total: 47.5 points
Moneyline: AU -275 | MD +200
FPI pick: Auburn 51.8% to win

What to watch for

1. Auburn on the ground. Despite bringing in transfer quarterback Payton Thorne this season, the Tigers lacked severely for a competent air game, ranking 124th nationally, but the team was a far-superior 16th rushing the ball, posting an average of 198.4 yards on the ground per game. Jarquez Hunter — who had 865 yards and seven touchdowns — lines up against Maryland's 33rd ranked run stop, a unit that surrendered just under 130 yards per game rushing.

2. Maryland vs. non-conference teams. The Terrapins have fared well against opponents outside the Big Ten in recent memory, going 3-0 against them this season, boasting the nation's 2nd longest win streak with 11 wins against non-con teams, and it ranks 5th nationally with almost 42 points per game against that opposition since Mike Locksley became head coach.

3. Change at QB. Maryland's offensive success the last few years has come courtesy of quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, whose record-breaking career as the Big Ten's most productive QB ever resulted in over 11,000 passing yards and 77 touchdowns. But with him opting out, the Terps turn to redshirt sophomore Billy Edwards, Jr. In limited action as a reserve, he ended up leading the team with six rushing touchdowns. In his one career start, last year against Northwestern, he had 166 yards passing with a touchdown and 66 rushing yards.

Auburn vs. Maryland prediction

Maryland has the bodies in the front seven to prevent Auburn from doing whatever it wants running the ball, but the Tigers also have the defensive prowess to successfully thwart a Terrapins passing attack that will be seriously compromised by Tagovailoa's absence.

College Football HQ picks...

• Auburn wins 27-20
• Covers the spread
• And hits the under

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