TAMPA, Fla. – With Auburn Fast efficiency, Gus Malzahn and the Tigers lined up in the first 17 rows of Raymond James Stadium Tuesday afternoon for their team picture, the last box to check before Wednesday's Outback Bowl.
Before the photo opportunity, the Tigers held their final walk-through across the street at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' indoor facility.
In the morning, they'll return to the NFL venue, ringing in 2020 hoping to defeat Minnesota to earn Auburn's 10th victory, a milestone the program has previously achieved 14 times.
They've done the touristy things. Trips to the beach, Busch Gardens and a bowling outing. All the while, the focus has remained on the matchup with Minnesota.
"We're trying to get our 10th win, so it's a business trip," All-SEC linebacker K.J. Britt said. "We're locked in."
No. 9 Auburn (9-3) enters the postseason after earning a thrilling 48-45 victory in the Iron Bowl 31 days ago. No. 16 Minnesota (10-2) finished 7-2 this season in the Big Ten.
"The team that comes together, who's the most disciplined, who focuses in more, is going to win the football game, who plays the hardest," offensive lineman Marquel Harrell said.
For Auburn's 25 seniors, it's their last time to ride for the brand.
"When I walk off that field one last time, that will probably be the time it hits me," said unanimous All-American Derrick Brown.
"Just soaking it up all week," running back Kam Martin said. "The last few days with my teammates."
"I know this is the last one," said senior safety Jeremiah Dinson, a Miami native. "I'm not going to have any opportunities to play with this bunch again. It's going to be fun playing three hours away from home, having a lot of family members coming to the game to support me. I'm looking forward to it."
In their first meeting, Auburn and Minnesota will kick off at noon CT on New Year's Day on ESPN and the Auburn Sports Network, where Andy Burcham, Stan White and Ronnie Brown will have the call.
"Being able to go out there and play with my brothers again, it means the world to me," said Harrell, a fifth-year senior. "I feel like we deserve it, because we've been here five long years, and a lot of hard work has been put into this moment."
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer