# 2020 Auburn Tigers football team

The 2020 Auburn Tigers football team represented Auburn University in the 2020 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Tigers played their home games at Jordan–Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, and competed in the Western Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). They were led by eighth-year head coach Gus Malzahn until his dismissal at the end of the regular season. The team's spring game, originally intended to be played on April 11, 2020, was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tigers' regular-season schedule was also impacted as all non-conference games were canceled and the SEC allowed teams to play 10 in-conference games only.
On December 13, 2020, head coach Gus Malzahn was fired after eight years. After reaching the 2014 BCS National Championship Game at the end of the 2013 season, Auburn won at least 10 games under Malzahn only once more, in 2017. Kevin Steele, defensive coordinator, was designated to serve as the Tigers' interim coach for the Citrus Bowl. In December 2020, Bryan Harsin was hired as head coach.

## SEC Media Days

In the preseason media poll, Auburn was predicted to finish in third place in the West Division.
Media poll (West Division) :
| Predicted finish | Team | Votes (1st place) |
| 1 | Alabama | 660 (86) |
| 2 | LSU | 489 (8) |
| 3 | Auburn | 488 |
| 4 | Texas A&M | 454 (2) |
| T5 | Ole Miss | 238 |
| T5 | Mississippi State | 238 |
| 7 | Arkansas | 121 |

## Schedule

Auburn announced its 2020 football schedule on August 7, 2019. The 2020 schedule originally consisted of 7 home, 4 away, and 1 neutral game in the regular season.
The Tigers had games scheduled against Alcorn State, North Carolina, Southern Miss, and UMass, which were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In July, the SEC announced the non-conference games would be canceled and only ten conference games would only be played.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 26 | 11:00 a.m. | No. 23 Kentucky | No. 8 | Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, AL | SECN | W 29–13 | 17,490 |
| October 3 | 6:30 p.m. | at No. 4 Georgia | No. 7 | Sanford StadiumAthens, GA (Deep South's Oldest Rivalry /College GameDay) | ESPN | L 6–27 | 20,524 |
| October 10 | 3:00 p.m. | Arkansas | No. 13 | Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, AL | ESPN | W 30–28 | 17,490 |
| October 17 | 11:00 a.m. | at South Carolina | No. 15 | Williams–Brice StadiumColumbia, SC | ESPN | L 22–30 | 15,766 |
| October 24 | 11:00 a.m. | at Ole Miss | | Vaught–Hemingway StadiumOxford, MS (rivalry) | SECN | W 35–28 | 15,037 |
| October 31 | 2:30 p.m. | LSU | | Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, AL (Tiger Bowl) | CBS | W 48–11 | 17,490 |
| November 21 | 6:00 p.m. | Tennessee | No. 23 | Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, AL (rivalry) | ESPN | W 30–17 | 17,490 |
| November 28 | 2:30 p.m. | at No. 1 Alabama | No. 22 | Bryant–Denny StadiumTuscaloosa, AL (Iron Bowl/College GameDay) | CBS | L 13–42 | 19,424 |
| December 5 | 11:00 a.m. | No. 5 Texas A&M | | Jordan–Hare StadiumAuburn, AL | ESPN | L 20–31 | 17,490 |
| December 12 | 6:30 p.m. | at Mississippi State | | Davis Wade StadiumStarkville, MS | SECN | W 24–10 | 12,986 |
| January 1, 2021 | 12:00 p.m. | vs. No. 14 Northwestern* | | Camping World StadiumOrlando, FL (Citrus Bowl) | ABC | L 19–35 | 13,039 |
| *Non-conference gameRankings from AP Poll and CFP Rankings (after November 24) released prior to gameAll times are in Central time ||||||||
    The game between Auburn and Mississippi State was postponed due to an outbreak of COVID-19 on the Mississippi State team. The game was originally scheduled for November 14.
    Schedule Source:

## Game summaries
### Kentucky

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 23 Wildcats | 7 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 13 |
| No. 8 Tigers | 8 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 29 |
at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama
* Date: Saturday, September 26, 2020
* Game time: 11:03 a.m. CDT
* Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 75 °F (24 °C) • Wind: 5 mph W
* Game attendance: 17,490
* Referee: Steve Marlowe
* TV announcers (SEC Network): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter)
* Pregame line: Auburn –6.5 • Odds to win: Auburn 84.9% • Game summary: ESPN
| Statistics | UK | AUB |
| First downs | 21 | 16 |
| Plays–yards | 78–384 | 57–324 |
| Rushes–yards | 40–145 | 30–91 |
| Passing yards | 239 | 233 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 24–38–1 | 16–27–0 |
| Time of possession | 36:29 | 23:31 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Kentucky | Passing | Terry Wilson | 24/37, 239 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Kentucky | Rushing | Kavosiey Smoke | 7 carries, 62 yds, 1 TD |
| Kentucky | Receiving | Josh Ali | 9 receptions, 98 yds |
| Auburn | Passing | Bo Nix | 16/27, 233 yds, 3 TD |
| Auburn | Rushing | Bo Nix | 5 carries, 34 yds |
| Auburn | Receiving | Seth Williams | 6 receptions, 112 yds, 2 TD |

### At Georgia

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 7 Tigers | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| No. 4 Bulldogs | 10 | 14 | 3 | 0 | 27 |
at Sanford Stadium • Athens, Georgia
* Date: Saturday, October 3, 2020
* Game time: 6:38 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Fair • Temperature: 64 °F (18 °C) • Wind: 5 mph E
* Game attendance: 20,524
* Referee: James Carter
* TV announcers (ESPN): Chris Fowler (play-by-play), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Allison Williams (sideline reporter)
* Pregame line: Georgia –7.5 • Odds to win: Georgia 57.3% • Game summary: ESPN
| Statistics | AUB | UGA |
| First downs | 15 | 25 |
| Plays–yards | 63–216 | 73–442 |
| Rushes–yards | 22–39 | 45–202 |
| Passing yards | 177 | 240 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 21–41–1 | 17–28–0 |
| Time of possession | 25:56 | 34:04 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Auburn | Passing | Bo Nix | 21/41, 177 yds, 1 INT |
| Auburn | Rushing | Tank Bigsby | 8 carries, 31 yds |
| Auburn | Receiving | Anthony Schwartz | 8 receptions, 57 yds |
| Georgia | Passing | Stetson Bennett | 17/28, 240 yds, 1 TD |
| Georgia | Rushing | Zamir White | 19 carries, 88 yds, 2 TD |
| Georgia | Receiving | Kearis Jackson | 9 receptions, 147 yds |

### Arkansas

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Razorbacks | 0 | 12 | 6 | 10 | 28 |
| No. 13 Tigers | 10 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 30 |
at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama
* Date: Saturday, October 10, 2020
* Game time: 3:05 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Rainy • Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C) • Wind: 11 mph S
* Game attendance: 17,490
* Referee: Jason Autrey
* TV announcers (ESPN): Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Lauren Sisler (sideline reporter)
* Pregame line: Auburn –13.5 • Odds to win: Auburn 88.5% • Game summary: ESPN
| Statistics | ARK | AUB |
| First downs | 22 | 24 |
| Plays–yards | 72–437 | 70–446 |
| Rushes–yards | 42–119 | 41–259 |
| Passing yards | 318 | 187 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 22–30–0 | 17–28–0 |
| Time of possession | 27:42 | 32:18 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Arkansas | Passing | Feleipe Franks | 22/30, 318 yds, 4 TD |
| Arkansas | Rushing | Trelon Smith | 21 carries, 81 yds |
| Arkansas | Receiving | Michael Woods II | 6 receptions, 81 yds, 1 TD |
| Auburn | Passing | Bo Nix | 17/28, 187 yds, 1 TD |
| Auburn | Rushing | Tank Bigsby | 20 carries, 146 yds |
| Auburn | Receiving | Anthony Schwartz | 10 receptions, 100 yds, 1 TD |

### At South Carolina

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 15 Tigers | 9 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 22 |
| Gamecocks | 0 | 14 | 13 | 3 | 30 |
at Williams–Brice Stadium • Columbia, South Carolina
* Date: Saturday, October 17, 2020
* Game time: 11:02 a.m. CDT
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 62 °F (17 °C) • Wind: NE 10 mph
* Game attendance: 15,766
* Referee: Steve Marlowe
* TV announcers (ESPN): Dave Pasch (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline reporter)
* Pregame line: Auburn –3 • Odds to win: Auburn 66.2% • Game summary: ESPN
| Statistics | AUB | SC |
| First downs | 27 | 20 |
| Plays–yards | 83–481 | 67–297 |
| Rushes–yards | 36–209 | 43–153 |
| Passing yards | 272 | 144 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 24–47–3 | 15–24–1 |
| Time of possession | 28:43 | 31:17 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Auburn | Passing | Bo Nix | 24/47, 272 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT |
| Auburn | Rushing | Tank Bigsby | 16 carries, 111 yds, 1 TD |
| Auburn | Receiving | Seth Williams | 4 receptions, 74 yds |
| South Carolina | Passing | Collin Hill | 15/24, 144 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| South Carolina | Rushing | Kevin Harris | 25 carries, 83 yds, 2 TD |
| South Carolina | Receiving | Shi Smith | 8 receptions, 76 yds, 1 TD |

### At Ole Miss

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tigers | 7 | 7 | 7 | 14 | 35 |
| Rebels | 0 | 14 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
at Vaught–Hemingway Stadium • Oxford, Mississippi
* Date: Saturday, October 24, 2020
* Game time: 11:03 a.m. CDT
* Game weather: Cloudy • Temperature: 52 °F (11 °C)
* Game attendance: 15,037
* Referee: Marc Curles
* TV announcers (SEC Network): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter)
* Pregame line: Auburn –3.5 • Odds to win: Auburn 74.8% • Game summary: ESPN
| Statistics | AUB | MISS |
| First downs | 26 | 25 |
| Plays–yards | 77–462 | 79–444 |
| Rushes–yards | 47–224 | 51–283 |
| Passing yards | 238 | 161 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 23–30–0 | 17–28–2 |
| Time of possession | 31:48 | 28:12 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Auburn | Passing | Bo Nix | 23/30, 238 yds, 1 TD |
| Auburn | Rushing | Tank Bigsby | 24 carries, 129 yds, 2 TD |
| Auburn | Receiving | Seth Williams | 8 receptions, 134 yds, 1 TD |
| Ole Miss | Passing | Matt Corral | 16/27, 154 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT |
| Ole Miss | Rushing | Matt Corral | 10 rushes, 88 yds, 2 TD |
| Ole Miss | Receiving | Elijah Moore | 5 receptions, 16 yds, 1 TD |

### LSU

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| LSU Tigers | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 11 |
| Auburn Tigers | 0 | 21 | 21 | 6 | 48 |
at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama
* Date: Saturday, October 31, 2020
* Game time: 2:39 p.m. CDT
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 67 °F (19 °C) • Wind: 8 mph E
* Game attendance: 17,490
* Referee: Alex Moore
* TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jamie Erdahl (sideline reporter)
* Pregame line: Auburn –1 • Odds to win: LSU 52.1% • Game summary: ESPN
| Statistics | LSU | AUB |
| First downs | 20 | 23 |
| Plays–yards | 75–347 | 70–506 |
| Rushes–yards | 27–32 | 44–206 |
| Passing yards | 315 | 300 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 28–48–2 | 18–26–0 |
| Time of possession | 28:31 | 31:29 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| LSU | Passing | Max Johnson | 15/24, 172 yds, 1 TD |
| LSU | Rushing | John Emery | 9 carries, 21 yds |
| LSU | Receiving | Arik Gilbert | 6 receptions, 55 yds |
| Auburn | Passing | Bo Nix | 18/24, 300 yds, 3 TD |
| Auburn | Rushing | Bo Nix | 11 carries, 81 yds, 1 TD |
| Auburn | Receiving | Eli Stove | 5 receptions, 64 yds, 1 TD |

### Tennessee

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Volunteers | 7 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 17 |
| No. 23 Tigers | 0 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 30 |
at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama
* Date: Saturday, November 21, 2020
* Game time: 6:10 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Clear skies • Temperature: 61 °F (16 °C) • Wind: 3 mph E
* Game attendance: 17,490
* Referee: David Smith
* TV announcers (ESPN): Joe Tessitore (play-by-play), Greg McElroy (analyst), Allison Williams (sideline reporter)
* Pregame line: Auburn –10.5 • Odds to win: Auburn 85.7% • Game summary: ESPN
| Statistics | TENN | AUB |
| First downs | 28 | 23 |
| Plays–yards | 74–464 | 64–385 |
| Rushes–yards | 41–222 | 38–165 |
| Passing yards | 242 | 220 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 22–33–1 | 17–26–1 |
| Time of possession | 31:29 | 28:31 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Tennessee | Passing | Jarrett Guarantano | 15/23, 156 yds, 1 INT |
| Tennessee | Rushing | Eric Gray | 22 carries, 173 yds, 1 TD |
| Tennessee | Receiving | Ty Chandler | 4 receptions, 37 yds |
| Auburn | Passing | Bo Nix | 17/26, 220 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Auburn | Rushing | D.J. Williams | 11 carries, 66 yds, 1 TD |
| Auburn | Receiving | Seth Williams | 5 receptions, 52 yds |

### At Alabama

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 22 Tigers | 0 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 13 |
| No. 1 Crimson Tide | 7 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 42 |
at Bryant–Denny Stadium • Tuscaloosa, Alabama
* Date: Saturday, November 28, 2020
* Game time: 2:39 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Partly cloudy • Temperature: 63 °F (17 °C) • Wind: N 6 mph
* Game attendance: 19,424
* Referee: Jason Autrey
* TV announcers (CBS): Brad Nessler (play-by-play), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jamie Erdahl (sideline reporter)
* Pregame line: Alabama –24.5 • Odds to win: Alabama 92.2% • Game summary: ESPN
| Statistics | AUB | ALA |
| First downs | 20 | 20 |
| Plays–yards | 80–347 | 53–445 |
| Rushes–yards | 42–120 | 27–143 |
| Passing yards | 227 | 302 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 23–38–2 | 18–26–0 |
| Time of possession | 36:30 | 23:30 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Auburn | Passing | Bo Nix | 23/38, 227 yds, 2 INT |
| Auburn | Rushing | Mark-Antony Richards | 14 carries, 57 yds |
| Auburn | Receiving | Eli Stove | 7 receptions, 29 yds |
| Alabama | Passing | Mac Jones | 18/26, 302 yds, 5 TD |
| Alabama | Rushing | Najee Harris | 11 carries, 96 yds, 1 TD |
| Alabama | Receiving | DeVonta Smith | 7 receptions, 171 yds, 2 TD |

### Texas A&M

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 5 Aggies | 7 | 7 | 0 | 17 | 31 |
| Tigers | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 20 |
at Jordan–Hare Stadium • Auburn, Alabama
* Date: Saturday, December 5, 2020
* Game time: 11:02 a.m. CST
* Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 52 °F (11 °C) • Wind: N 9 mph
* Game attendance: 17,490
* Referee: James Carter
* TV announcers (ESPN): Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst), Todd McShay and Allison Williams (sideline reporters)
* Pregame line: Texas A&M –5.5 • Odds to win: Auburn 53.1% • Game summary: ESPN
| Statistics | TA&M | AUB |
| First downs | 29 | 16 |
| Plays–yards | 70–509 | 54–340 |
| Rushes–yards | 47–313 | 30–196 |
| Passing yards | 196 | 144 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 18–23–0 | 15–23–0 |
| Time of possession | 38:00 | 22:00 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Texas A&M | Passing | Kellen Mond | 18/23, 196 yds, 2 TD |
| Texas A&M | Rushing | Isaiah Spiller | 20 carries, 120 yds |
| Texas A&M | Receiving | Jalen Wydermyer | 8 receptions, 89 yds, 2 TD |
| Auburn | Passing | Bo Nix | 15/23, 144 yds |
| Auburn | Rushing | Tank Bigsby | 9 carries, 76 yds |
| Auburn | Receiving | Eli Stove | 4 receptions, 29 yds |

### At Mississippi State

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tigers | 3 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 24 |
| Bulldogs | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
at Davis Wade Stadium • Starkville, Mississippi
* Date: Saturday, December 12, 2020
* Game time: 6:39 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Partly Cloudy • Temperature: 55 °F (13 °C) • Wind: Calm
* Game attendance: 12,986
* Referee: Lee Hedrick
* TV announcers (SEC Network): Tom Hart (play-by-play), Jordan Rodgers (analyst), Cole Cubelic (sideline reporter)
* Pregame line: Auburn –6.5 • Odds to win: Auburn 74.6% • Game summary: ESPN
| Statistics | AUB | MSU |
| First downs | 19 | 17 |
| Plays–yards | 68–343 | 67–240 |
| Rushes–yards | 36–218 | 16–19 |
| Passing yards | 125 | 221 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 15–32–0 | 30–51–2 |
| Time of possession | 30:56 | 29:04 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Auburn | Passing | Bo Nix | 15/32, 125 yds, 1 TD |
| Auburn | Rushing | Tank Bigsby | 26 carries, 192 yds |
| Auburn | Receiving | Anthony Schwartz | 5 receptions, 32 yds |
| Mississippi State | Passing | Will Rogers | 30/51, 221 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT |
| Mississippi State | Rushing | Dillon Johnson | 5 carries, 30 yds |
| Mississippi State | Receiving | Jaden Walley | 8 receptions, 100 yds |

### Vs. Northwestern (Citrus Bowl)

| Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tigers | 0 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 19 |
| No. 14 Wildcats | 14 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 35 |
at Camping World Stadium • Orlando, Florida
* Date: Friday, January 1, 2021
* Game time: 12:00 p.m. CST
* Game weather: Mostly Sunny
* Game attendance: 13,039
* Referee: Jerry Magallanes
* TV announcers (ABC): Dave Flemming (play-by-play), Rod Gilmore (analyst), Paul Carcaterra (sideline reporter)
* Pregame line: Northwestern –3.5 • Odds to win: Auburn 60.1% • Game summary: ESPN
| Statistics | AUB | NU |
| First downs | 19 | 25 |
| Plays–yards | 69-361 | 86-457 |
| Rushes–yards | 26-61 | 51-166 |
| Passing yards | 300 | 291 |
| Passing: comp–att–int | 26-43-0 | 24-35-0 |
| Time of possession | 24:18 | 35:42 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Auburn | Passing | Bo Nix | 25/42, 292 yds, 1 TD |
| Auburn | Rushing | Bo Nix | 10 carries, 32 yds |
| Auburn | Receiving | Elijah Canion | 3 receptions, 80 yds, 1 TD |
| Northwestern | Passing | Peyton Ramsey | 24/35, 291 yds, 3 TD |
| Northwestern | Rushing | Cam Porter | 33 carries, 98 yds, 1 TD |
| Northwestern | Receiving | John Raine | 6 receptions, 76 yds, 1 TD |

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes т = Tied with team above or below :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Final |
| AP | 11 | 11* | 8 | 8 T | 7 | 13 | 15 | RV | RV | 24 | 24 | 23 | 22 | RV | — | — | — |
| Coaches | 11 | 11* | 9 | 8 | 7 | 13 | 14 | RV | RV | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | RV | — | — | — |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 22 | — | — | — | Not released |

## Players drafted into the NFL

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Club |
| 3 | 91 | Anthony Schwartz | WR | Cleveland Browns |
| 5 | 146 | Jamien Sherwood | S | New York Jets |
| 5 | 176 | K. J. Britt | ILB | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 6 | 219 | Seth Williams | WR | Denver Broncos |