2010 Outback Bowl: Auburn Plays Northwestern

Auburn University of Auburn, Alabama and Northwestern University of Evanston, Illinois have accepted the invitation to play in the Outback Bowl in Tampa Florida on New Years Day. Kick Off will be at 11:00 on January 1, 2010. This will be the first ever meeting of these two Universities in a Football Bowl Setting.

This was a last minute change of plans for the Big 10 in hopes of arranging a more positive outcome in this years bowl season. Northwestern has an 8-4 record this year and is unranked. Auburn has a 7-5 record this year and is unranked. 

Northwestern is primarily a passing team. They rank 29 out of 104 nationally in passing at 266 yards per game. Auburn ranks 28 out of 104 in pass defense allowing 191 yards per game. Northwestern ranks 93 out of 104 in rushing offense with 119 yards per game. Auburn ranks 80 out of 104 in rushing defense allowing 161 yards per game rushing. Northwestern ranks 57 out of 104 in total offense gaining 386 yards per game. Auburn ranks 51 out of 104 in total defense allowing 353 yards per game. 

A look at competition reveals some interesting statistics. In the Northwestern wins this year the average opponent averaged 84 out of 104 nationally on Offense, and 54 out of 104 on Defense. Auburn ranks 21 out of 104 on offense gaining 432 yards per game and, 51 on defense allowing 353 yards per game.

In their losses the average competition ranked 71 out of 104 on offense and 42 out of 104 on defense. The loses were to Penn State, Minnesota, Syracuse, and Michigan State. They won over one ranked opponent this year Iowa.

In Auburn Wins this year the average opponent ranked 60 out of 104 on offense. Northwestern ranks 57 out of 104. Auburn's average opponent in wins ranked 56 of 104 on defense. Northwestern ranks 43 out of 104 on defense.

In Auburn's loses this year the average opponent ranked 64 of 104 on offense and 30 of 104 on defense. Auburn lost to Arkansas, Kentucky, LSU, Georgia, Alabama. Every loss was to a bowl team this year. Arkansas plays East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl. Kentucky is projected in the Music City Bowl, Georgia plays Texas A&M in the Independence Bowl, and Alabama plays Texas in the BCS National Championship Game. Auburn has wins over three Bowl Teams Ole Miss plays Oklahoma State in the Cotton Bowl, West Virginia plays Florida State in the Gator Bowl, Tennessee plays Virginia Tech in the Chic Fil-A Bowl. 

Northwestern won two games over bowl teams. Wisconsin is playing Miami in the Champs Sports Bowl. Iowa is projected to play in the BCS Fiesta Bowl possibly against Boise State. Michigan State and Penn State are slated for bowls, but due to the last minute adjustment of bowl match ups by the Big 10 they are not locked in yet. Michigan State could play Texas Tech in the Alamo Bowl and Penn State could play LSU in the Capital One Bowl. 

The Northwestern Football Team is led by Mike Kafka a senior quarterback. He rushes on average 11 times per game for 3 yards per carry. He has rushed for 7 touchdowns this year. In passing he has attempted 414 completed 272 for 2898 yards and 12 touchdowns against 7 interceptions. He ranks 57 out of all NCAA Quarterbacks in passing efficiency and 23 in total offense.

Receiving: Favorite Targets:                                                                      Andrew Brewer 49 catches for 792 yards,  Ranked 59 in the NCAA                            Zeke Markshausen 79 catches for 794 yards, Ranked 64 in the NCAA                          Drake Dunsmore (Tight End) 38 catches for 403 yards

Northwestern rushes by committee, and the Quarterback does much of it.

North Western is tied for 88 out of 104 for sacks allowed on their quarterback.

Northwestern is ranked lower than Auburn on kick returns, punt returns, and net punting. (This will be a shock for Auburn Fans)

Auburn is led by Senior Quarterback Chris Todd                                                      He has 297 passing attempts 178 completions for 2276 yards. He is ranked 21 out of all NCAA Quarterbacks in passing efficiency and 84 in total offense. He seldom runs unless pass defense is broken down.

Receiving:                                                                                                       Darvin Adams 852 yards receiving                                                                       Terell Zachery 467 yards receiving                                                                       Mario Fannin (Running Back) 402 yards receiving

Rushing:                                                                                                         Ben Tate 1254 yards rushing  Ranked 23 nationally among all running backs                 Ontario McCalebb 547 yards rushing                                                                     Mario Fannin averages 8.46 yards per carry for 271 yards rushing.

Defense:                                                                                                        Antonio Coleman ranked 2nd in the SEC for both sacks and tackles for a loss.            Josh Bynes ranked 6th in the SEC in tackles                                                        Walter McFadden ranked 5th in the SEC for interceptions

Auburn has played a much tougher schedule this year. The speed factor is heavily in Auburn's favor. The Strength of Line factor is heavily in Auburn's favor. Rushing is totally in Auburn's favor. Passing is slightly in Northwestern's favor. Auburn will be, by far, the strongest offense Northwestern has faced. Ranking eleven places higher than Wisconsin and sixteen places higher than Penn State.

On defense Northwestern has allowed 344 yards per game on offenses ranked on average twenty places lower in the NCAA. Auburn has allowed 353 yards per game on offenses ranked on average twenty places higher in the NCAA. Auburn ranks eleven places higher than the highest ranked offense Northwestern has played this year. There is little if any advantage to Northwestern in any of the common defensive indicators. 

Northwestern will pass the ball on Auburn. Auburn will run and pass the ball on Northwestern. Auburn will sack the quarterback early and often. Auburn has a clear and distinct advantage on offensive line. Auburn will be able to run at will between the tackles and around the corner. Northwestern will load the box to stop the run and this will allow the long ball to Terell Zachery and Darvin Adams. 

Northwestern is a feisty team that will fight hard. They will come in prepared to throw everything they have at Auburn. They are used to playing teams with a defensive advantage and have fared well. They beat Iowa this year with the passing game and Iowa is a top twenty defense and in the top ten on interceptions. They play a smart game of football and do not beat themselves. 

This is a good match up for Auburn. It will be a great bowl trip that will allow for another three weeks of practice for Auburns young team. This will allow for a big advantage going into next season. Auburn's young Defensive Backfield will get a lot of needed work in this game. Northwestern will have to score more than 35 points to hope to win this game. They have managed this once this season.