you responded pretty much how I expected you to respond
1.) I wouldn’t really call the peach bowl a low or mid tier bowl, since it does rotate in the the playoffs as a semi final game... it was/ is a big game for both programs and like I said before neither team felt that they should be out of the playoffs..
2.) you are correct in regards preparing vs one team for a month vs preparing for the whole gauntlet of teams for a whole year, but that doesn’t change the fact that what their record would be is purely speculation, before Auburn and UCF played there was a lot of speculation that Auburn would pound UCF, but the reality is UCF still won... the reality is that Auburn also had a month to prepare for UCF as well.
3.) Again I do understand what you’re saying, but the reality is that, that was the same Auburn team that beat those teams, maybe they came out flat, or the players were not hyped, but it’s foolish to say that the teams don’t play to win.. Perhaps Auburn severely underestimated UCF and took that game lightly, which is what I believe is more on par with the point you’re trying to make... but again both teams showed up to play, both teams had a point to prove, both teams wanted to be in the playoffs, both teams played to win... there are no excuses to be made for Auburn losing other then they got out coached/ played in that game... because using the theory of its easier to plan for one game vs a power 5 team vs 5 games, it’s also easier to plan for one game vs perceived lower division team especially when you have a month, and if we are going to go with perceptions then the perception would also be that since Auburn is from a Far better conference then they had far better talent, so then I’d have to say since UCF won with lesser talent then they won because of the coaching