College Football Bowl Predictions Part III (New Year’s Day and Beyond): Auburn-Wisconsin, Kansas State-UCLA, and More

Nov 29, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Gus Malzahn runs onto the field prior to facing the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Outback Bowl- Tampa, Fla. 

No. 19 Auburn Tigers vs. No. 18 Wisconsin Badgers

Line: Auburn by 6.5

Saturday Blitz Vegas Bowl Prediction: Auburn Wins 34-28

Auburn is another one of those teams that would be at least 10-2 in any other division in college football. But playing in the SEC West dropped them to 8-4. However, Guz Malzahn’s Tigers still have too much speed and firepower to be neutralized by the Wisconsin Badgers, and it is going to show when the two teams clash as the first New Year’s Day bowl game.

Although Wisconsin has a great offensive line, Auburn’s is about just as good with Reese Dismukes at center, as long as he isn’t making terrible snaps to cost a game like he did against Texas A&M. And the Tigers are loaded with skill players on top of that, including Nick Marshall and Sammie Coates, which Wisconsin is simply too slow to handle. The Tigers are a very physical football team as well, something that is underrated when considering the exciting offense they run.

The combination of the speed and enough physicality to handle the massive Wisconsin Auburn offensive line, and Melvin Gordon, will be enough for a comeback Auburn victory. Wisconsin is also obviously going to be distracted by the fact that Gary Andersen left to go to Oregon State. And they don’t have a passing game either.

As a result of the distraction and significant match-up problems, Auburn will pull out the victory against the Badgers.

Next: Citrus Bowl Prediction: Minnesota vs. Missouri