2010 Outback Bowl Northwestern vs. Auburn Picks & Predictions

Last Updated on January 1, 2010 8:00 am by drew

Outback Bowl Pick

The Big Ten and SEC meet twice on Friday with the first meeting coming in the 2010 Outback Bowl which features Northwestern and

Auburn playing from Raymond James Stadium at 11AM ET.

Bet The Outback Bowl
Northwestern is 8-4 this season and 5-6 against the spread. The Wildcats have won and covered in their last three games.

Auburn is 7-5 this season and 6-5 against the spread. The Tigers won their first five games under new coach Gene Chizik, but have lost five of their last seven to end the season.
Oddsmakers from online sports book SPORTSBETTING.com have made
Auburn 8-point favorites over Northwestern on Friday afternoon. The over/under total for this game has been established at 54.5.

Northwestern is scoring 25.2 points per-game, but doesn’t have much of a rushing attack. Mike Kafka has thrown for 2,898 yards and 12 touchdowns and is the second-leading rusher on the team with 265 yards, only 30 yards behind Arby Fields.

Auburn is giving up 26.9 points per-game, but has only allowed 353.5 yards of offense per-game.

Auburn is scoring 32.9 points per-game thanks to a strong running game, led by Ben Tate, who has rushed for 1,254 yards and eight touchdowns on the season. Chris Todd has added 2,377 yards passing with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions. The Wildcats are giving up 22.4 points and 310.4 yards per-game defensively.

This game should have plenty of offense as both defenses have struggled on the year. The over seems like a good bet out of the gate. In terms of the two teams, both should score, but ultimately

Auburn seems to have better talent and more ways to score than Northwestern. The Tigers have faced better overall competition, and the Wildcats shouldn’t put up too much of a fight. We suggest a pick of

Auburn minus the points.

Our Outback Bowl Free Pick for this matchup is: AUBURN -8 and OVER 54.5
College Football Bowl Season Betting Trends
NORTHWESTERN is 32-14 ATS (+16.6 Units) as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points since 1992.

Northwestern is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games

Northwestern is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

Auburn is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games

Bowl Season College Football Injury Report
NORTHWESTERN

[RB] 09/04/2009 – Alex Daniel out for season ( Ankle ) 

[OG] 12/06/2009 – Desmond Taylor is "?" vs

Auburn in the Outback Bowl ( Shoulder ) 

[S] 12/06/2009 – Brendan Smith is "?" vs

Auburn in the Outback Bowl ( Thumb ) 

AUBURN

[SS] 08/20/2009 – Mike McNeil out indefinitely ( Leg ) 

[S] 09/05/2009 – Aairon Savage out for season ( ACL ) 

[DB] 12/06/2009 – Drew Cole is "?" vs Northwestern in the Outback Bowl ( Foot ) 

[LB] 10/10/2009 – Spencer Pybus likely out for season ( Concussion ) 

[LB] 10/10/2009 – Harris Gatson might be out for season ( Undisclosed ) 

[SS] 11/02/2009 – Zac Etheridge expected to miss rest of sason ( Neck ) 

[WR] 11/03/2009 – Montez Billings out for season ( Personal ) 

[LB] 12/17/2009 – Eltoro Freeman is upgraded to probable vs Northwestern in the Outback Bowl ( Concussion ) 

[RB] 12/21/2009 – John Douglas expected to miss vs. Northwestern in the Outback Bowl ( Suspension ) 
Outback Bowl Odds
Northwestern Wildcats +8 Over 54.5 (+360)

Auburn Tigers -8 Under 54.5 (-340)
Bet The Outback Bowl
Posted: 1/1/10 7:00AM ET