Wisconsin vs. Auburn: Outback Bowl 2015 Preview for Big Ten vs. SEC Clash
Neither Wisconsin nor Auburn was satisfied with the way 2014 came to a close. The Badgers were routed 59-0 by Cardale Jones and the Ohio State Buckeyes, while the Tigers were gave up 55 points in a loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Both of these squads have a chance at redemption on New Year's Day, but only one will achieve it.
Wisconsin boasts the top running back in the nation and a very stingy defense, but Auburn's versatile offense features a dual-threat quarterback who is surrounded by a bevy of weapons. So, which of these styles has the upper hand in the 2015 Outback Bowl?
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Before these teams return to the gridiron, let's take a look a the game's schedule, updated odds and predict the winner of this impending showdown between the Big Ten and SEC.
Game Information
When: Thursday, January 1, 2015
Where: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida
Time: 12 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Betting Info (via Odds Shark):
- Over/Under: 63.5
- Spread: Auburn -7
Preview and Prediction
The player everyone will be keeping a keen eye on in the Outback Bowl will be Badgers running back Melvin Gordon. He may not have won the Heisman this year, but he was certainly a worthy candidate, rushing for 2,336 yards and 26 touchdowns while averaging an impressive 7.6 yards per carry.
Gordon's phenomenal year included breaking the Big Ten rushing record, the single-game rushing record and becoming the fastest player in FBS history to reach 2,000 rushing yards in a season. Yeah, that's pretty darn good.
Obviously, Auburn's 45th-ranked run defense that allows an average of 149.5 yards per game on the ground will have its hands full.
Although, it's not as though the Tigers don't have plenty of tape on the running back. In the Big Ten Championship Game, Ohio State successfully contained Gordon, allowing just 76 yards on 26 carries to the prolific running back. With no passing game to speak of, Wisconsin was shut out easily as a result.
Interestingly enough, Justin Hokanson of 247Sports.com tweeted that Auburn was in a similar situation back in 2003:
Of course, this is a completely different team in a completely different decade, but the point is, it's been done before.
Wisconsin's defense was very strong throughout most of the season; however, it began to taper off toward the end of the year, allowing at least 24 points in each of its last four contests, capping the year off with that dreadful showing against Ohio State.
That's not a good sign considering Auburn runs a very well-rounded offense that ranks 24th in the nation with an average of 35.8 points per game. However, like the Badgers, the Tigers inconsistently closed out the season, scoring at least 31 points in five of their last six games but only managing seven against a Georgia team that had given up 31 to Kentucky the week before.
On paper, it's easy to say Auburn must attack Wisconsin's 17th-ranked run defense since the Badgers are ranked fifth in the nation against the pass. Well, look closer. Yes, Wisconsin is ranked highly in that category, allowing an average of just 164.3 passing yards per game, but it is also allowing an average of 13.87 yards per completion; that's the fourth most of all teams ranked in the top 50.
The reason Wisconsin is ranked highly against the pass is due to the lack of aerial attacks in the Big Ten. This is where Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall really has an advantage. SEC Football noted the availability of big-play opportunities in the Outback Bowl:
A decent passer, Marshall, completed 60.1 percent of his passes for 2,315 yards and 18 touchdowns against seven interceptions in 2014. However, he finished the year with a bang, racking up 456 yards and three touchdowns against a stingy Alabama defense.
Much of his success in that game came from a resurgent Sammie Coates. The junior had his biggest game of the season, catching five passes for 206 yards and two touchdowns. It will be absolutely crucial for Auburn to get him involved right out of the gate.
Based on how these teams match up, Auburn has the advantage. Both defenses have their strengths and weaknesses, but the difference is on the offensive side of the ball, as the Tigers run a versatile scheme, while the Badgers are more one-dimensional.
Prediction: Auburn 30, Wisconsin 24
All team rankings and statistics courtesy of NCAA.com and current as of December 31.
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