Auburn suffers rough start in Music City Bowl as fans, media share concern about 2024

Auburn got off to a rough start in the Music City Bowl against Maryland. In fact, the Tigers trailed by 21 points in the first quarter.

Maryland quarterback Billy Edwards Jr., starting in place of Taulia Tagovailoa, had a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown in the game as Hugh Freeze’ concerns about poor tackling came true early on.

Meanwhile, Auburn began the game 0-for-5 on 3rd down conversions.

Payton Thorne began 7-for-17 passing for 41 yards, and by late in the 1st half, Maryland rang up 231 total yards compared to 94 for Auburn.

Auburn managed a late touchdown to pull within 2 scores inside of 3 minutes.

Here’s a sample of the reaction:

About to see a lot of “Alabama almost got beat by this Auburn team that’s getting blown out by a Maryland squad without its best two players” tweets on the TL.

— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) December 30, 2023

Maryland (without Tagovaiola) is kicking Auburn’s ass right now 21-0.

You might remember that Alabama needed a miracle to beat Auburn in the final game of the year.

Something to think about ?

— Blue By 90 (@bluebyninety) December 30, 2023

Maryland just whoopin’ Auburn 21-0 after the first quarter at the @musiccitybowl.

Real question: Fourth-and-31 in the Iron Bowl take that much out of Auburn? And yes, I know they’re missing some folks. Maryland doesn’t have its starting QB either.

— Teresa Walker ? (@TeresaMWalker) December 30, 2023

Maryland, a team Ohio state beat handily might I add, is up 21-0 on Auburn without their starting QB and most of their starters just tells me all I need to know is that Ryan Day had this team completely unprepared for the emergency scenario

— Ryan Day is a war criminal (@JuJu_Da_Gamer) December 30, 2023

Hugh Freeze angrier than when an escort doesn’t answer his phone calls

— Evan (@EFried8) December 30, 2023

Hugh Freeze about to own the two most embarrassing losses at AU at the rate this game is going…

— ?RJN? (@RJNieder) December 30, 2023

Ain’t no way Hugh freeze think Payton Thorne the best option at QB next year ??‍♂️? https://t.co/yI9Ads6wRy

— Bobby (@bd_715) December 30, 2023

Someone should have told Hugh Freeze that AU doesn’t play Alabama next week

— Keith Murdock (@kmurdock66) December 30, 2023

If I’m Hugh freeze I’m bringing in another QB to compete with Thorne!! I just don’t see him leading Auburn to no 10+ wins next year

— Tee (@terry18mtf) December 30, 2023

When a Hugh Freeze team decides to play a clunker, they go all in.

— Jeffrey Collins (@JSCollinsAP) December 30, 2023

Keith Farner

A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.