Peach Bowl 2018: Auburn vs. UCF score, live updates, highlights
Channel: COCKTAILS VIDEOS
Date: 2018-01-01

End 1Q: Auburn leads UCF 3-0: It was a first quarter of offensive action fit for New Year's Day, as both teams were sluggish and unable to get moving. Auburn's passing game has been by far its biggest asset, but three sacks through the first 15 minutes have hampered some scoring opportunities. The UCF offense has been able to get very little on the Tigers' defense, which means Auburn could really do some damage with just a couple of scores.

Daniel Carlson's 25-yard field goal is good. Auburn leads UCF 3-0, 7:01 1st quarter: The Tigers' second drive of the game saw their offense get into a rhythm. After getting the ball thanks to Deshaun Davis' fumble recovery, Auburn was able to move down the field with some well-timed passes, including a big third-down conversion caught by Nate Craig-Myers. The drive's quest for seven points ended when Jarrett Stidham was forced to fire the ball out of the end zone after being rushed by a UCF defender. Pay attention to if the Knights continue to get after Stidham going forward.

About the gameChip Lindsey’s offense isn’t perfect on this drive, either. At one point Jarrett Stidham steps up in the pocket and slips, giving UCF a “team sack.” However, Stidham recovers by delivering a long ball to Darius Slayton on third down. Marquis McClain makes a great grab on the next play, but Auburn isn’t doing much on the ground. Stidham slips again and is sacked once more on second down and Auburn faces a long third down. Daniel Carlson comes out and attempts a 53-yard field goal, but doesn’t get it.
Auburn 3 UCF 0 (7:01 1Q) 

Auburn’s offense didn’t get off to a great start on its first drive, but gets it together on its second — a little bit at least. Jarrett Stidham turns a broken play into a great ball to Nate Craig-Myers, who looks more than ready for 2018. The Tigers miss out on a scoring opportunity on third down and Daniel Carlson gets Auburn on the board with his first field goal  of the day.UCF’s offense can move the ball as well as anyone in the country, and it’ll hit some big plays on the Tigers. But Auburn’s size and power, especially on the defensive line, should wear down the smaller Knights over time. On defense, UCF gave up a ton of yards and points down the stretch. Auburn should be able to stay balanced and explosive. Jarrett Stidham could have a huge day with his vertical throws, judging by what USF and Memphis did against this UCF defense. The Knights will get their yards and points with that quick-strike system, but the Tigers will fully take over in the second half of this one.

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Lauren Shute: Auburn 31, UCF 13

The best thing UCF could have done in the weeks leading up to the Peach Bowl was stay quiet, but the Knights couldn’t do that. Instead, Scott Frost’s team hurled interesting remarks Auburn’s way while the Tigers used the time after the SEC title game to get healthy. Gus Malzahn’s team is looking for a boost going into 2018 and its third straight game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. After seeing UCF players in Atlanta during the final days of December, it seems the Knights just don’t have the size to compete with the SEC West champs.

Benjamin Wolk: Auburn 34, UCF 17

The Group of 5 team has typically had the upper hand over the Power 5 team in recent years, but I expect that to change in 2018. Auburn has been given enough so-called bulletin board material to have plenty of reason to be motivated. The Tigers enter as a big favorite, and they’ll even cover that.

Auburn-UCF preview
Good news …
The time off between the SEC Championship Game and the Peach Bowl has served Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson well.

Johnson said Saturday morning he feels fully healthy for the matchup Monday against undefeated UCF in Atlanta (12:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. CT on ESPN). He was limited with shoulder and rib injuries during Auburn’s 28-7 loss to Georgia in the conference title game last month.

“I feel 100 percent, finally, or as close to 100 percent as you can get at this point,” Johnson said. “I felt really good. I’ve been running like my old self and making moves like my old self. It’s giving me confidence and making me happy, and I’m ready to see what I can do in the real game now.”

… and bad news for the Tigers
Auburn football will not have top cornerback Carlton Davis for the Peach Bowl on Monday against undefeated UCF.

Malzahn announced Sunday morning Davis went back home to Miami, Fla., on Saturday due to an illness that kept him out of three straight practices. Davis left the SEC Championship Game in the second half earlier this month due to concussion symptoms.

“Carlton Davis will not play in our bowl,” Malzahn said. “He had an illness earlier in the week. Has not gotten better. Went home yesterday. Just felt like he would be better off there with the illness he has.”