AUBURN, Ala. – In Auburn's five previous trips to the Vrbo Citrus Bowl, the Tigers arrived early in Orlando, soaked up a few days of Florida sunshine and visited the area's attractions.
This time, they arriving on New Year's Eve, one day before Auburn (6-4) meets No. 15 Northwestern (6-2) in the 75th Citrus Bowl Friday at noon CT on ABC at Camping World Stadium.
"I think this year with everything going on, I think it's actually been kind of nice to stay in a comfort zone and stay at home where you're used to and finishing out practice and making it like an away game," Auburn sophomore quarterback Bo Nix said Wednesday, two days before the game. "I think a lot of guys and a lot of people are really excited for the bowl game."
While Northwestern played on Dec. 19 in the Big Ten Championship game, then continued preparing for the Citrus Bowl, Auburn took two weeks off after completing a 10-game, conference-only schedule with a win vs. Mississippi State on Dec. 12. The Tigers returned to campus after Christmas, practicing five days to get ready for the New Year's Day showdown.
"Guys are excited and I think with a few days off, we've come back energized and ready to go and excited for the game," Nix said. "We've done a great job of throwing and catching and route running and communication.
"We got so [many] weeks of practice during the season that it's repetition now and muscle memory, so we've come back and been very crisp. I've been very pleased with our effort and we have done a really good job of making sure we stayed sharp. We got a few weeks off. I think that was very helpful for us to be energized coming back and very loose and to play very well."
Playing a non-SEC opponent for the only time this season, the keys remain the same as in conference play: stop the run on defense, be balanced and turnover-free on offense.
"I think we'll have to come out and run the ball effectively and hit some passes when they are there and just make explosive plays," Nix said. "I know our defense is going to do a good job of getting us the ball back and we have to do our part, making sure we're moving the ball, having good drives and protecting the ball."
In a game that could feature fresh faces with veterans slowed by injuries, team captains such as Nix and Big Kat Bryant are encouraging their younger teammates to be ready to contribute.
"As a leader on this team, I just continue to motivate them and show them there's a bigger picture," Bryant said. "Once you get in my position, you want the guys that are younger than you to play for you and it's just a rotation. It's a rotation that happens every year and it's something I preach to the guys and let them know."
For those, like Nix, who will be returning in 2021, a bowl win could serve as another momentum boost leading into the Bryan Harsin Era next season.
"It's huge," Nix said. "Bowl games can be great for the offseason. Offseason prep, spring ball can really jump start you into the next year. To have guys come out and play good will be huge for their confidence and their impact for next year."Teammates carry Big Kat Bryant off the field Thursday after Auburn's final practice of 2020
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer