Sometimes bowls pit transitioning teams against each other – one club is rising and the other feels like it is teetering on disaster. This year’s Music City Bowl is a great example of this. Purdue is young and managed to keep coach Jeff Brohm. Meanwhile Auburn failed to live up to lofty preseason expectations and to the disappointment of a lot of AU fans is keeping coach Gus Malzahn. Will this version of the Tigers finish on a high note and set up the next chapter of Auburn football or will Purdue’s rise take another step forward with a second straight bowl win? That’s enough to pique my curiosity. Oh, and Rondale Moore makes everything watchable so this game has plenty of juice.
How did Purdue get here?
Playing extremely well in the middle portion of the season. Purdue started 0-3 and ended 1-2 and the lone win was the finale against Indiana in a win or go home game for both clubs. In between Purdue went 5-1 with upset victories over Boston College, Iowa, and most impressively, Ohio State. When clicking Purdue’s offense is deadly and it is jump-started by all world freshman wideout Rondale Moore. On the flip side talented defenses could slow them down (see Michigan State) or the defense would no show (see Minnesota) so like a lot of rebuilding programs, Purdue can be all over the map.
How did Auburn get here?
Having a god-awful offensive line. Auburn couldn’t run the ball a lick this season and quarterback Jarrett Stidham was sacked 23 times. These offensive issues were combined with a defense that was outstanding up front and mediocre in the back end. This mix resulted in long afternoons against three SEC teams and disappointing narrow defeats to two other conference foes.
Who will win…and why?
Removing the emotions of Purdue keeping Brohm and Auburn having a lot of drama the match-up favors Purdue. Auburn’s strength is getting to the quarterback but Purdue runs so many quick passing routes to their speedy guys like Moore that AU’s biggest positive is neutralized. On the flip side Auburn’s offense was a mess at times this season and that was with Stidham. Now that he has declared for the NFL and won’t play in Nashville, what in the world is the Tiger offense going to look like?
How to watch
- Date: December 27
- Time: 12:30 pm, central
- TV: ESPN
- Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville
Gambling Guide
- Auburn -3.5, Over / Under 55.5
Pretty easy, I believe Purdue will win so take them against the spread, take them in the money line, take them here or there, take them anywhere. I would take Purdue in a box, I would take Purdue with a fox. I really like Purdue, Sam-I-am.
Lightning Round for Non-Readers:
Purdue/Auburn – Points
Big Ten and Counting 