No. 21 Houston meets slumping Auburn in Birmingham Bowl

Auburn head coach Bryan Harsin reacts to a call during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Alabama, Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)

Cincinnati quarterback Desmond Ridder (9) is tackled by Houston's Gervarrius Owens during the second half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Cincinnati defensive lineman Myjai Sanders (21) speaks with Houston quarterback Clayton Tune (3) during the second half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)

Auburn running back Tank Bigsby (4) carries the ball against Alabama during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 27, 2021, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)

Houston's Jeremy Singleton (13) waits for a kickoff as fans cheer in the background during the second half of the American Athletic Conference championship NCAA college football game against Cincinnati Saturday, Dec. 4, 2021, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)