AUBURN, Ala. – With a 10-win season at stake, No. 9 Auburn launched into its Outback Bowl preparation with gusto and a full roster.
"We've had our first few days of practices that were really great, making sure everybody's doing what we're supposed to be doing," first-team All-SEC linebacker K.J. Britt said before Tuesday's practice. "We're locked in, we're trying to get this 10th win."
All-America defensive lineman Marlon Davidson joined consensus All-American Derrick Brown in announcing their intentions to conclude their Auburn careers against No. 16 Minnesota on New Year's Day in Tampa, Florida.
"I'm good to go," Davidson said. "I'm all locked in for Auburn. Derrick coming back, that said everything. The caliber of player he is, you want to play with that guy one more time. It'll be fun. Playing with that guy, it's very special. He's a very special talent. There's no reason why he shouldn't be the first overall pick.
"Coming out here and finishing with your brothers, that's all that matters. We set a standard for Auburn people, the character that we have. It's bigger than us and we're doing it for Auburn."
A victory would give Auburn its 15th 10-win season, the third in the Gus Malzahn era and the second for Auburn's upperclassmen, who also won 10 games and an SEC West championship in 2017.
"It will be good to put our names in the record books again," Davidson said.
Last season, Auburn defeated Purdue 63-14 in the Music City Bowl, crediting a businesslike approach that the Tigers intend to duplicate in Tampa.
"You want to have a decent time and all that, but, man, we're going there to win," Malzahn said. "It's a business trip once we get on location."
Brown's and Davidson's decisions to delay their NFL Draft preparation until after the Outback Bowl inspired their teammates, Malzahn said.
"He's a leader," said Malzahn of Brown, the SEC's defensive player of the year. "It says a lot about him. It didn't surprise me.
"He's one of the best player to come through Auburn since I've been here. He had a dominant season. Not a good season. A dominant season and we played an unbelievable schedule. Every time we played a big game, he played his best ball.
"Marlon Davidson, too. He's right in the same discussion. He had a great season too, and I think he's one of the best players in the country. We're fortunate to have those two guys leading us."
Quarterback Bo Nix will look to add to his Auburn freshman passing records for completions, yards and touchdowns, achievements that helped him be named the SEC Freshman of the Year.
"I thought Bo was well-deserving of that," Malzahn said. "A true freshman who played against the best defenses in college football with the world watching. He improved throughout the year. He really never flinched. I think that says a lot about him. He's a real confident player going into the bowl and next year. I think he's battle-tested."
One more battle awaits, a final exam for Auburn's 25 seniors, when the Tigers play the Golden Gophers Jan. 1 at Raymond James Stadium.
"They're 10-2 and they were ranked in the top 10 for a while," Malzahn said. "They're a really good football team. It ought to be a good one."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer