Wisconsin took down Auburn in an exciting Outback Bowl.
After lackluster offensive performances from both Auburn and Wisconsin in the first half of this year's Outback Bowl, the Badgers and Tigers turned on the offense in the second half, leading to a back-and-forth shootout that went all the way to overtime, which ended in a 34-31 Wisconsin win. As so many college games do, this one ended on a missed field goal, as Auburn couldn't punch one in from 45 yards.
Wisconsin pounded the ball behind a stellar offensive line and the outstanding play of running backs Melvin Gordon and Corey Clement. However, a balanced Auburn attack and some big plays from the Tigers' passing game helped Gus Malzahn's team stay within striking distance.
It was 14-7 in favor of Auburn at halftime, but Wisconsin battled back behind Gordon, who it surprisingly used on only 12 carries in the first half. With the Badgers leading 28-24 with three minutes left, Malzahn opted to go for it on fourth-and-11 from the Wisconsin 13-yard line, and he was rewarded with a pass interference call in the end zone, which ultimately led to a touchdown.
Wisconsin marched down the field behind a big fourth down conversion from none other than struggling quarterback Joel Stave, and a late Badgers field goal sent this one to overtime.
3 things we learned
1. Wisconsin is a quarterback away from being elite
If Wisconsin had any semblance of a passing game, this one could have been a blowout in favor of the Badgers. However, quarterback Joel Stave struggled, just as he has all year, and threw three interceptions, which ultimately let Auburn stay in the game throughout. Though the Badgers were dominating in the trenches, all-time coach/AD/emperor Barry Alvarez chose to keep going back to the air, and it hurt Wisconsin greatly.
The Badgers have some talent coming up at quarterback. Four-star quarterback D.J. Gillins is redshirting, while three-star Austin Kafentzis will be coming in next season, but young talent hasn't always panned out for UW's quarterbacks. Wisconsin is set up to be a yearly contender in the Big Ten West, but it needs to figure out its quarterback situation to ever be nationally elite.
2. The Auburn defense needs Will Muschamp
Just as it has all season, Auburn's run defense really struggled against Wisconsin. The Badgers' offensive line manhandled the Tigers' defensive front all game, and it showed in the running game.
Matt Millen, who is not one to be critical of other coaches, even noted during the game that Auburn can't get Will Muschamp to join the team soon enough. Landing Muschamp was a coup for the Tigers, who have the talent but gave up big yardage totals to their best opponents. Malzahn-coached teams are always good on offense, but with Nick Marshall leaving, the defense is going to need to be better next year than it was against Wisconsin, and for much of 2014.
3. Wisconsin heads into the Paul Chryst era pretty well off
The quarterback struggles are documented above, but Wisconsin certainly should be the favorite in the Big Ten West once again. Defensive coordinator Dave Aranda did a very good job transforming this defense, and he's back next year under new head coach Paul Chryst. Corey Clement is a very capable running back and the offensive line has shown its prowess and depth.
Given how weak the rest of the division appears to be, Wisconsin is the favorite heading into next year. The quarterback thing still needs to be figured out, but as the team enters the era of a new coach yet again, it appears set to be the class of the Big Ten West again in 2015.
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