UCF finished the 2017 season with an undefeated record, including a 34-27 win over Auburn in the Peach Bowl. However, SEC analyst and former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy believes the Knights "would've been dusted" by the Tigers if the stakes were higher.
"If a national championship was on the line, Auburn would've played a whole heck of a lot better," McElroy said Monday on ESPNU Radio, per Mark Heim of AL.com. "Just go watch the effort. Talk to the coaches. They may not want to tell you that."
Auburn was in line for a spot in the College Football Playoffs until suffering a 28-7 loss to Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.