In a surprising turn of events on Saturday, the Auburn Tigers suffered a devastating 31-10 loss against New Mexico State during a home game at Jordan-Hare Stadium. The defeat left Auburn's locker room shell-shocked, with players and coaches struggling to comprehend the unexpected outcome.

Veteran defensive backs Jaylin Simpson and Keionte Scott, considered leaders in the locker room, expressed their disbelief in postgame interviews. "I don't even know," they both said when asked about the surprising result. The defeat left even the seasoned players reeling, as they tried to make sense of what some are calling the worst loss in Auburn football history.

Head coach Hugh Freeze also grappled with the loss during his postgame press conference. The Tigers' locker room was filled with a sense of disbelief, as players and coaches realized that no matter how many times they asked someone to pinch them, the reality of Saturday's loss would not diminish.

The New Mexico State Aggies, being the underdogs in the game, arrived at The Plains determined to bring home a $1.85-million check. While winning seemed unlikely, with the bookies in Las Vegas favoring Auburn by three scores, the Aggies proved everyone wrong. Head coach Jerry Kill had instilled confidence in his team, assuring them that they could emerge victorious against Auburn. And that's exactly what they did, securing their first-ever win over an SEC opponent.

Kill expressed his satisfaction with the victory, mentioning the lucrative payday his team received for playing Auburn. "So how about $1.7 million and winning the game?," he exclaimed during the celebrations in the locker room. The 31-10 victory served as an additional jab, leaving the Tigers licking their wounds and reflecting on their shortcomings.

Auburn players acknowledged their shortcomings in the game. Jaylin Simpson noted that the team started slowly and admitted that New Mexico State simply wanted the win more. Keionte Scott and tight end Rivaldo Fairweather echoed the sentiment, stressing that their opponents were more determined and that they should never underestimate an opponent.

Coach Freeze reflected on the Tigers' loss during his press conference. He admitted that the team may have succumbed to the temptation to relax, as the game against New Mexico State was sandwiched between a comprehensive win against Arkansas and the upcoming rivalry battle with Alabama. Freeze acknowledged that the team didn't have their best week of practice, with Wednesday and Thursday's sessions falling short of expectations.

Speculation arose about whether Auburn's loss was a result of the team looking ahead to their Iron Bowl matchup with Alabama. Freeze vehemently denied it, assuring that the team's full attention was on the game against New Mexico State. Linebacker Eugene Asante added that the team possibly became complacent after receiving praise for their previous performance.

Now, Auburn must regroup and refocus as they prepare to face Alabama. With a bruise on their record, it remains to be seen how clear Auburn's vision will be leading up to the crucial Iron Bowl clash. The players have expressed the need to quickly move on from the loss and to concentrate on the biggest game of the season so far.

As Jaylin Simpson aptly stated, "It's the Iron Bowl, it should not take a lot of motivation." Auburn understands the magnitude of the upcoming game and must swiftly adjust to ensure they are at their best when they take on their fierce rivals at home.