Outback Bowl: Auburn Tigers vs. Northwestern Wildcats | Preview & Predictions

Jan. 1, 2010 | 11:00 AM EST, Tampa, FL, on ESPN

Outback Bowl

Northwestern Wildcats (8-4) vs. Auburn Tigers (7-5)

Opening Line: Auburn -8

Game Preview: It is hard not to like Northwestern but you are never sure what you are going to get.  In most games they are on the losing side of the talent battle but their coach Pat Fitzgerald is able to get the most out of them.  For Auburn, it wasn’t that long ago that they were among the SEC elite but now it seems they are miles behind the like of ‘Bama, Florida and LSU.  This season further proved that point as they were only 3-5 in conference play althought they did have a spiritied performance in the Iron Bowl.  At least this team has become more exciting offensively with Gus Malzahn calling the plays.

Northwestern Preview: They beat Iowa but lost to Syracuse.  How is that for unpredictability?  The Wildcats are led by their do everything QB Mike Kafka who may not be pretty but can be pretty productive.  They need to keep him upright because there is not much depth at the position.  This may be obvious given the institution but NW plays smart football.  If Auburn gets careless they can take advantage but they do not really have the talent to put a lot of pressure on their opponents.

Auburn Preview: The Tigers are a long way from an undefeated season and BCS brouhaha.  They made some strides this year as the offense improved dramatically but in their moments of weakness Alabama pounced and they are now ruling the state.  Surprisingly given OC Malzahns roots the O has great balance and is scoring over 32 points per game.  The defense is now the weak link of the team.  They have some good athletes but are not as cohesive as they used to be under the Tuberville regime where they graduated lots of talent to the next level.  The Tigers are lucky to draw Northwestern a team with less athletic talent where the scheming won’t need to be as spot on.

Game Prediction: Auburn should be able to handle Northwestern with ease.  They said the same thing about Iowa and then the Wildcats strolled into Iowa City and beat them.  I think this one will be tight but eventually Auburn superior athleticism will begin to make a difference.  By the end it will not be very close.

Score Prediction:

Auburn Tigers – 38

Northwestern Wildcats – 17

Pick: I am not a big Auburn fan so I am cautious in making this play.  I like it better at -7, anything bigger than a TD scares me a little.