Outback Bowl: Auburn vs. Wisconsin

Ken Bradley

Outback Bowl: Auburn vs. Wisconsin image

Matchup: No. 19 Auburn Tigers (8-4, 4-4 SEC) vs. No. 17 Wisconsin Badgers (10-3, 7-1 Big Ten)

Site: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

When: Jan. 1, noon ET

TV: ESPN2

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Series: Tied 1-1-1

Last meeting: Wisconsin won, 24-10, in 2005 Capital One Bowl

Common opponents: LSU (Auburn: W 41-7, Wisconsin: L 28-24)

Coaches: Gus Malzahn (Auburn), Barry Alvarez, interim (Wisconsin)

Players to watch: Auburn junior WR Sammie Coates has declared for the NFL Draft and will look to go out on a high note. He caught 30 passes for 717 yards and four TDs this season and suffered through nagging injuries. But in the Iron Bowl, he broke out with five receptions, 206 yards and two TDs. Look for QB Nick Marshall to look his way. Same goes for Wisconsin junior RB Melvin Gordon. He was second in the Heisman voting and has put together one of the best seasons ever by a back. He has 2,336 rushing yards and needs 292 yards to break Barry Sanders' single-season record. He ran for 408 yards against Nebraska, so it's not out of the question.

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Ken Bradley