Auburn’s 63-14 win over Purdue in the Music City Bowl drew plenty of raised eyebrows. Paul Finebaum also applauded the “incredible performance” by Gus Malzahn and the Tigers.

During his weekly appearance on Birmingham-based WJOX 94.5 FM program “The Roundtable,” Finebaum noted how Auburn wasn’t motivated a year ago during the bowl season, but this season was the difference. Finebaum noted that former Auburn coach Gene Chizik, who still lives in the Auburn area, told him how practices were at a high-intensity level leading up to the bowl game.

“Sometimes you get tired of hearing everything,” Finebaum said. “Last year they were hung over a little bit after the SEC Championship loss, (Kerryon) Johnson was out. And this year, they just seem motivated. Now what it means, moving forward? I have no earthly idea. It makes the offseason a little better. It doesn’t really change the circumstances very much.”

The bowl result doesn’t change the concerns Auburn has entering 2019, starting with questions about who will be the quarterback and the tough schedule. It starts in Dallas with a season opener against Oregon and highly touted NFL prospect QB Justin Herbert. Then it includes road games at Florida, Texas A&M and LSU. Not to mention traditional games against Alabama and Georgia.

“I’m not sure I see a more difficult schedule in many, many years,” Finebaum said. “You guys tell me what the record will be.”