Outback Bowl betting kicks off New Year’s Day bowl action as Northwestern faces Auburn. It will be the first bowl game for Northwestern since 1997 and they are underdogs against Auburn in college football odds. Outback Bowl betting has Auburn favored by a touchdown in this game with a total of 54.5. Auburn has won five of their last seven bowl games while Northwestern has lost six straight. The Wildcats are optimistic they can end the bowl losing streak. Northwestern has won their last three straight and could be a good choice in Outback Bowl betting.
“We’re definitely playing our best football of the year right now and with the layover we’re going to have to make sure we keep our edge,” head coach Pat Fitzgerald said. Last season the Wildcats lost in overtime in the Alamo Bowl to Missouri. Northwestern is definitely motivated to win in Outback Bowl betting. “(A bowl win) would make my five years at Northwestern a huge success. I’d be very proud to be a captain who led this team to something this program hasn’t done in a long time.” safety Brendan Smith said.
Auburn is favored in Outback Bowl betting even though Northwestern comes into the game with the better record. Auburn was just 7-5 this season but the SEC is considered stronger than the Big 10 in college football odds. The Tigers lost five of their last seven games after starting 5-0. Head coach Gene Chizik is happy to be in a bowl game though. “What does everybody want? Everybody wants a New Year’s Day bowl,” said Chizik, “It’s just phenomenal for our fans. This is a reward for our fans, who we think are the best in the country, and for our players. I think it’s huge for the program in terms of where this thing is going down the road.”
Auburn is led by quarterback Chris Todd who was fourth in the SEC with 21 TDs and running back Ben Tate who was fourth in the SEC with 1,254 yards. Auburn averaged 32.9 points per game this season. Northwestern will try and keep pace in Outback Bowl betting with quarterback Mike Kafka who was third in the Big 10 with 2,898 passing yards.
Northwestern and Auburn will be meeting for the first time ever. Outback Bowl betting has Northwestern as 8-1 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog. Auburn is 2-5 vs. the college football odds in their last 7 games overall and they are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games as a favorite in college football odds.