2015 Bowl Games: Picking all 41 college bowls and championship game against the spread

Nov 28, 2015; Memphis, TN, USA; Memphis Tigers wide receiver Daniel Hurd (83) stiff arms Southern Methodist Mustangs defensive back Jordan Wyatt (15) during the second half at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis Tigers defeats Southern Methodist Mustangs 63-0 .Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

Birmingham Bowl
Auburn vs. Memphis
Birmingham, Alabama | Legion Field
Dec. 30, Noon on ESPN

They should call this one the “mighty have fallen” bowl. Auburn was a near consensus pick to win the SEC West in the preseason, and everyone had Memphis hands down winning the American.

Not so fast my friend.

Now what we have are two teams picking up shreds of their remaining dignity to play in a bowl game that has been one of the lowest attendance draws of any.

Auburn’s gimmicky offense has finally been figured out by most teams, and the genius Gus Malzahn is now looking like another guy who should probably stick to a coordinator position. Memphis (a team with a reputation for playing dirty) can come in and make a statement by beating an SEC power.

The Tigers from Alabama hired Will Muschamp to fix their defensive woes. They ended up 91st in the nation in total defense, and 69th in scoring defense. Probably still needs a little work. Memphis is seventh nationally in scoring offense, and 13th in total offense. That pretty much sums up what we’ll see in this game.

Line: Auburn -2.5

Not sure which Auburn team the folks in Vegas have been watching, but Memphis will easily top that and win this game. Take the Tennessee Tigers.

Next: Belk Bowl