Coming off a thrilling Iron Bowl win, Auburn was supposed to cap off a strong finish to the 2019 season with a bowl victory to get to 10 wins. The Tigers entered the Outback Bowl as 7-point favorites over No. 18 Minnesota.
The game did not go as expected and the Gophers pulled off a 31-24 upset victory over the Tigers, who fell to 9-4 on the year. After the game, media members shared their thoughts on social media. Many media members focused more on crediting PJ Fleck and the Minnesota coaching staff as opposed to dragging Malzahn, but there were some comments on “the Gus Bus” and AU getting out-coached.
Here’s a sample of what’s being said:
Gus Malzahn won the Iron Bowl and thus really nailed Auburn's birthday so it only figures he'd immediately turn around and forget their anniversary and get right back in the doghouse
— ?BUM CHILLUPS AKA SPENCER HALL? (@edsbs) January 1, 2020
The GusCoaster ride never ends pic.twitter.com/U4X5dJ9AA8
— Dan Wolken (@DanWolken) January 1, 2020
Third-and-10 and Auburn gives up the first down on a running play. That was really poor, and likely ends the game.
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) January 1, 2020
Row the damn Boat.
— Bryan Fischer (@BryanDFischer) January 1, 2020
PJ Fleck's boat > Gus Malzahn's bus
— Kevin Scarbinsky (@KevinScarbinsky) January 1, 2020
PJ Fleck and his staff coached their asses off in this #OutbackBowl. This was no fluky performance … Minnesota just beat up one of the best defensive lines in college football.
— Pete Fiutak (@PeteFiutak) January 1, 2020
Any Minnesota fans who say WE WANT BAMA would actually be incorrect. You don't wanna play a team that couldn't beat the team you just handled with ease. Challenge yourselves
— Alex Kirshner (@alex_kirshner) January 1, 2020
Just an enormous win for the Gophers.
11-2 season
New Year's Day bowl win over a Top 12 team.
Row. The. Boat.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) January 1, 2020
Gophers bullying Auburn down stretch in this one to put game away….
— Landry Football (@LandryFootball) January 1, 2020
Auburn ending the season with a win over Alabama, but a loss to Minnesota, is not something I can say I saw coming a few months ago
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) January 1, 2020
Auburn has a losing record this decade
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) January 1, 2020
— Trent Smallwood (@SmallwoodTrent) January 1, 2020
Ski-u-mah-oh-my!
— Dennis Dodd (@dennisdoddcbs) January 1, 2020
Auburn has failed to cover each of its last 8 bowl games in which it has been a favorite of at least 6 points, losing outright all 3 instances under Gus Malzahn – 2014 vs Wisconsin, 2017 vs UCF and today vs Minnesota.
— Chris Fallica (@chrisfallica) January 1, 2020
Ballgame. What a win by #Minnesota. Absolutely deserved it. Excellent game plan by P.J. Fleck, Matt Simon, Joe Rossi and the rest of the staff. And tremendous performances by the players. More than doubled Auburn in yards. Wow.
— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 1, 2020
Saturday Down South reports and comments on the news around the Southeastern Conference as well as larger college football topics.
