Getty Images
The Wisconsin Badgers and Auburn Tigers both had awful ends to their seasons that they would soon like to forget. For the Badgers, a 59-0 beat down at the hands of Ohio State in the Big Ten title game ended their year and for the Tigers, it was a pitiful 1-3 finish after a strong 7-1 start to the campaign.
Wisconsin barely had a pass game to even talk about as Tanner McEvoy began the year under center, giving way to Joel Stave who barely broke the 1,000-yard mark for the season. Stave finished with just 1,229 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions as Alex Erickson was his favorite target, catching 51 passes for 734 yards and three touchdowns. The run game was the real story for the Badger offense as Heisman finalist Melvin Gordon led the way with an astounding 2,336 yards and 26 touchdowns followed by Corey Clement‘s 844 yards and nine scores with about 175 less carries.
Auburn didn’t have the greatest passing attack in the world either this season as the Tigers relied on the arm, and legs, of senior quarterback Nick Marshall. However, Marshall didn’t deliver as they would have hoped, passing for 2,315 yards and 18 touchdowns while he was expected to be a serious Heisman contender. The senior dual-threat also rushed for 780 yards and 11 touchdowns, ranking second on the team. Cameron Artis-Payne led the team in rushing with 1,482 yards as well as 11 scores of his own. D’haquille Williams was the team’s leading receiver, catching 45 passes for 730 yards and four touchdowns while Sammie Coates had 717 yards and four scores on 30 receptions.
Defensively, Wisconsin had been solid all season outside of the Big Ten title game, ranking 13th in points against per game and fourth nationally in total yards allowed per game. Auburn has been much less impressive, ranking 60th in points allowed and 61st in total yards allowed per game.
When: 12 p.m. EST on Thursday, Jan. 1
Where: Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
TV: ESPN2
PREDICTION: Auburn 27, Wisconsin 28
Want to see Auburn take on Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl? Check out ScoreBig for tickets.
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].
