The Auburn Tigers came into Saturday’s game against the New Mexico State Aggies was supposed to be nothing more than a tune-up before Auburn’s season finale against the Alabama Crimson Tide next week.
Auburn, who came into the late-season nonconference game at 25-point favorites, were expected to roll.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, the Aggies had other plans, pulling away with a 31-10 victory at Jordan-Hare Stadium.
Adding to the hilarity of the upset is the fact that this was a buy game for Auburn, so they paid New Mexico State $1.85 million to come to Auburn and beat them, which everyone had plenty of jokes about.
Auburn quarterback Payton Thorne finished the game 15-for-19 for just 142 passing yards and one touchdown as New Mexico State made it tough all day for Auburn to get anything going on offense.
New Mexico State quarterback Diego Pavia went 19-for-28 for 201 yards and three touchdown passes.
The upset led to plenty of reactions across social media.
The Messengar’s Ryan Nanni was impressed, saying, “The extent to which New Mexico State is going for Auburn’s throat is absolutely inspiring”
the extent to which New Mexico State is going for Auburn's throat is absolutely inspiring
— Ryan Nanni (@celebrityhottub) November 18, 2023
ESPN’s David Hale pointed out the dubious honor that Ole Miss coach Hugh Freeze now holds, saying, “The last two examples of a 21+ point underdog winning a game by 21+ points: New Mexico St over Hugh Freeze in 2022 (at Liberty) New Mexico State over Hugh Freeze in 2023 (at Auburn)”
Others pointed out the hilarity of losing a buy game at this stage in the season.
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