Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon led the FBS in rushing with 2,336 yards. (Getty)
Heisman Trophy finalist Melvin Gordon brings his nation-leading 2,336 rushing yards into the New Year’s Day Outback Bowl against Auburn (8-4, 4-4 SEC).
No. 18 Wisconsin (10-3, 7-1 Big Ten) is hoping Gordon can run wild like he did that one late afternoon in mid-November against Nebraska. OK, so maybe 408 yards isn’t in the cards for Gordon, but the Badgers are looking for something positive to wash the taste out of their mouths from the 59-0 blanking they received from Ohio State the last time they were on a football field.
The Tigers are in a similar boat. They allowed 539 yards in a 55-44 loss to Alabama in the regular season finale Iron Bowl.
Two reeling defenses. Two extremely productive running games. Who’s better at bouncing back from a big loss?
The Basics
Who:
No. 19 Auburn (8-4) vs. No. 18 Wisconsin (10-3), Outback Bowl
When:
Thursday, Noon Eastern
Where:
Raymond James Stadium – Tampa, Florida
TV Info:
Channel: ESPN2
Announcers: Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Matt Millen (analysis), Quint Kessenich (sidelines)
Line:
Auburn (-7). Line provided by bovada.lv
All-Time Series:
Series tied 1-1-1
Last Year’s Outback Bowl:
LSU 21, Iowa 14
Auburn Highlights
Wisconsin Highlights
Heavy’s Pick
Gordon, the nation’s leading rusher, anchors the Wisconsin offense, which scores 34.6 per game. Auburn scores about an extra point more (35.8). Defensively, the Badgers give up about a TD less than the Tigers (20.0 to 26.1).
With such productive running teams, the key units in this game will be the defensive front 7s. Let’s hope they show up for this one. They haven’t lately. Wisconsin has allowed an average of 239 yards on the ground per game over the past 2 and Auburn has been slightly “less bad” at 201 over the final 4, of which they lost 3.
If this trend continues, Gordon and Tigers leading rusher Cameron Artis-Payne should run all over the field. Go ahead and write that one down in pen; it’s going to happen.
Here’s the X-Factor: wide receiver Sammy Coates. With No. 1 receiver Duke Williams suspended, the explosive Coates should get a few chances to make some plays downfield. AU quarterback Nick Marshall can definitely sling it when he has to.
Gus Malzahn’s Tigers ruin Barry Alvarez’s one-game return to the sideline.
