Virginia vs. Auburn: Last-Minute Spread Info, Line and More for Chick-Fil-a Bowl

The Virginia Cavaliers and Auburn Tigers will battle for the right to be crowned Chick-Fil-a Bowl champions. 

For Virginia, it is their first bowl game since 2007. They will be eager to cap off their turnaround season with a bowl game victory against the defending national champions. 

Meanwhile, Auburn has gone through and up and down season as they they rebuild from their glory of last year's title campaign. 

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Where: Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia

When: December 31st at 7:30 p.m. EST

Watch: ESPN, ESPN 3D

Live Stream: ESPN 3

Listen: Full list of Virginia radio networks, full list of Auburn radio networks

Betting Line: Auburn -3 (according to Bovada)

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Key Storyline: Can Auburn play with passion?

The Chick-Fil-a Bowl is a far cry from the National Championship Game Auburn played in last year. This is not to suggest that Auburn won't be focused on this game, but that they might have a hard time bringing the highest of intensity levels. 

Who Might Not Play for Auburn

Game status according to USA Today

RB Michael Dyer is suspended and will not play. The following players are all questionable: LB LaDarius Owens, TE Philip Lutzenkirchen, CB Chris Davis, OL Brandon Mosley, RB Anthony Morgan, OL Ed Christian.

Who Might Not Play for Virginia

Game status according to the USA Today

The following players are all questionable: CB Dom Joseph, LS Michael Terrell, WR EJ Scott, WR Bobby Smith. 

What it Means for Virginia

For Virginia, this is a chance to have a nice end to an impressive turnaround season. They are 8-4 and finished 4-8 last season. They picked up their first win in November since 2007. This season earned coach Mike London ACC Coach of the Year honors. 

What it Means for Auburn

For Auburn, this is a chance to end their up and down season on a winning note. The Chick-Fil-a trophy is not going to stand out on their trophy case, but winning bowl games is always a nice thing to put on the resume for any program. 

What They're Saying: Virginia is thrilled to be playing in the postseason. 

The Associated Press, via SI.com, talks about what it means for Mike London and his team to be participating in college postseason after a long drought. 

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Mike London hopes his Virginia players learn it's more fun to play in a bowl game than to watch one on TV.

London's Virginia team held its first Georgia Dome practice Tuesday for the Chick-fil-A Bowl game Saturday night against Auburn. Virginia is making its first bowl trip since the 2007 season.

"It's a feeling that once you've gotten here after spending last year at home, then you never want to spend another Christmas or another holiday season or postseason at home,'' London said.

No player on Virginia's team has appeared in a bowl game. A few fifth-year seniors were on the 2007 team that went to the Gator Bowl, but they didn't play.

Virginia (8-4) finished 4-8 last year in London's first season.

"We talked about it every year and fell short the last two or three years,'' senior defensive end Cam Johnson said. "We knew going in this was our last shot at it. Everybody did their part.''

Johnson said it was frustrating sitting at home watching other teams play in bowl games the last three years.

"It definitely hurt to be home around Christmas time,'' he said.

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Virginia Player to Watch: RB Perry Jones

Jones is the Cavaliers' leading rusher. He enters this game with 883 yards and a 5.0 yard per carry average. He also added another 416 receiving yards and found the end zone a total of eight times. 

Virginia has a balanced offense, and Jones is at the center of their attack. 

Auburn Player to Watch: RB Onterio McCalebb

With Michael Dyer out of action, McCaleb is going to have to step his game up. He has definitely flashed the potential to be a difference maker. He gained 532 yards on the ground this season at 5.2 yards per carry. 

Key Matchup: Virginia's Defensive Front vs. Auburn's Rushing Attack

If the Cavaliers' defensive front can maintain their gaps and limit the holes for Auburn's rushing attack, this will cripple the Tigers' offense. It will force them into obvious passing situations, and this is not an area Auburn is ready to succeed in.

Prediction: Virginia 27, Auburn 20

The Cavaliers are going to be fired up and excited to play this game, and they will be facing an Auburn team that limps into the game without the services of their best player, Dyer. 

This momentum will lead to some big, game-changing plays, and Virginia will pull off the upset.