Way-too-early bowl projections have Auburn football back in Birmingham Bowl

Auburn fans seem bored with the idea of returning to Birmingham anytime soon to play a bowl game.

Unfortunately, it could be in the cards for 2023.

Brad Crawford of 247Sports recently released his way-too-early college football bowl projections, with Auburn landing back in the Birmingham Bowl to face off against Memphis.

Here's what Crawford had to say about the matchup:

"Bowl eligibility in Year 1 for Hugh Freeze on the Plains would appease the fanbase as long as there aren't many lopsided losses mixed into a .500 or 7-5 season. Auburn's not far away from being a tough out in the SEC West and the Tigers believe they've signed a few instant-impact portal players — including Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne — that bring instant competition to vital position groups."

The Tigers appeared in the Birmingham Bowl back in 2021, losing to a ranked Houston squad 17-13. They've also played the Memphis Tigers in this exact same spot, defeating a Paxton Lynch-led Memphis squad 31-10 in 2015.

Fans have high expectations than finishing 6-6 and going to the Birmingham Bowl Auburn in Hugh Freeze's first season. A look at Auburn's schedule, as daunting as it may be, gets easier with the addition of transfer portal quarterback Payton Thorne:

Sept. 2nd vs UMass

Sept. 9th at California

Sept. 16th vs Samford

Sept. 23rd at Texas A&M

Sept. 30th vs Georgia

Oct. 14th at LSU

Oct. 21st vs Ole Miss

Oct. 28th vs Mississippi State

Nov. 4th at Vanderbilt

Nov. 11th at Arkansas

Nov. 18th vs New Mexico State

Nov. 25th vs Alabama