Outback Bowl 2010
Auburn (7-5) vs. Northwestern (8-4)
Jan. 1, 2010, 10:00 a.m. CST
Tampa, Florida
Televised on ESPN
www.outbackbowl.com

AUBURN

First-year head coach Gene Chizik managed to not only get the Tigers to a bowl game in his first year (becoming the first Auburn coach to accomplish the feat) but also managed to create enough excitement around the program that Outback Bowl officials selected the Tigers from the glut of other 7-5 SEC teams to represent the conference in the New Year’s Day game.

The Tigers hope to maintain the positive momentum with a victory in Tampa and a springboard into the offseason. A win would be a great way for Chizik to finish his first year, giving him an eight-win season and a solid foundation to build on for the future.

Statistically Speaking
Auburn’s offense rocketed up the rankings this year, thanks to new offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn’s hurry-up, no-huddle approach. An injury-plagued defense on the other hand gave up an uncharacteristically high 26 points per game.

• Total Offense: 432.3 yards/game (3rd in the SEC, 22nd in NCAA)
• Points Scored: 32.9 points/game
• Total Defense: 353.5 yards/game (8th in the SEC, 53rd in NCAA)
• Points Allowed: 26.9 points/game

The defense did play its most inspired game of the year, however, in its last outing against the University of Alabama – a game in which it held Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram to just 30 yards rushing.
 
Offensive Leaders
The Tigers are led by senior running back Ben Tate, who was named AP All-SEC Second Team after rushing for over 100 yards/game. Senior quarterback Chris Todd set a single-season touchdown record (21), surpassing all-time Auburn greats Pat Sullivan and Jason Campbell.

• Rushing: 1,254 yards, Tate
• Rushing TDs: 8, Tate
• Passing: 2,377 yards, Todd
• Passing TDs: 21, Todd
• Receiving: 855 yards, Darvin Adams
• Receiving TDs: 10, Adams

NORTHWESTERN

The Wildcats enter the game as one of the hottest teams in the nation. After a sluggish start, including a 34-37 loss to Syracuse, Northwestern finished the year winning four of its last five games, including an upset of Iowa and a 33-31 win over 17th-ranked Wisconsin in its final game.

Led by head coach (and former player) Pat Fitzgerald, the Wildcats are making their first appearance in the Outback Bowl and their second consecutive bowl appearance. (They lost to Missouri 30-23 in last year’s Alamo Bowl.) In a remarkable historical note, the Wildcats are seeking their first bowl victory since the 1949 Rose Bowl.

Statistically Speaking
Northwestern finished the regular season ranked fifth in the Big Ten in both total offense and total defense. Nationally, the Wildcats finished 58^th in offense and 42^nd in total defense.

• Total Offense: 386 yards/game
• Points Scored: 25.2 points/game
• Total Defense: 344.3 yards/game
• Points Allowed: 23.3 points/game

Offensive Leaders
The Wildcats are led by Second Team All-Big Ten quarterback Mike Kafka, who passed for over 2,800 passing yards and led the team in rushing touchdowns. Kafka also led the Big Ten in completion percentage (65.7). Northwestern also has two wide receivers with over 700 receiving yards each, in Andrew Brewer and Zeke Markshausen. 

• Rushing: 294, Arby Fields
• Rushing TD: 7, Kafka
• Passing: 2,898 Kafka
• Passing TD: 12, Kafka
• Receiving: 792, Brewer
• Receiving TD: 7, Brewer 

PREDICTION

This is the first-ever meeting between the two teams, and it could make for an exciting game. Northwestern comes in having gone 3-0 in November, while Auburn boasts one of the top offenses in the SEC. The key for Auburn will be slowing Northwestern’s passing game.

The Auburn defense has been riddled with injuries this year, but All-SEC defensive end Antonio Coleman and hard-hitting linebacker Eltoro Freeman should both be healthy for the game. If they can pressure Kafka, the Auburn offense should be able to score enough points to secure the win.   

Our official (and completely unbiased) prediction: Auburn 31 Northwestern 20 

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