Auburn is currently preparing to face Maryland in the Music City Bowl this weekend.

As the Tigers gear up for a showdown against the Terrapins, the anticipation of the 2024 season seeps in.

For junior quarterback Payton Thorne, prep work for a bowl game and looking ahead to 2024 has been “hard to balance.”

“You have that time off, and obviously with the portal opening up and the high school guys having signing day and recruiting, us players are trying to do our part,” Thorne said in an interview on Wednesday.

Thorne is looking forward to what the 2024 campaign has to offer, but knows the Tigers have to finish up 2023 first.

“It’s weird because you’re looking so much into next season and talking about next season,” Thorne said. “We still have to finish off this season, so we can focus back up here at practice and be ready to go on Saturday.”

During the regular season, Thorne had 1,671 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. On the ground, the junior ran for 520 yards and three scores on 125 carries.

Auburn (6-6) had a roller coaster regular season. After a 3-0 start, the Tigers lost 4 straight then won 3 in a row. Auburn’s regular season was capped with a heartbreaking 27-24 loss to Iron Bowl rival Alabama.

The Tigers will take on Maryland in the Music City Bowl on Saturday at 2 p.m. ET on ABC.