Boasting two of the nation's top running backs, Heisman finalist Melvin Gordon and 1,400-yard rusher Cameron Artis-Payne, this bowl game's synopsis could be simplified: Wisconsin and Auburn collectively totaled more than 1,100 rushing attempts this season and could challenge the all-time bowl record of total combined rushing yards. Regardless of who is coaching in the game -- these two teams have dominated headlines recently with Gary Anderson taking the Oregon State job, Wisconsin athletic director Barry Alvarez once again coaching a bowl game and Auburn hiring former Florida head coach Will Muschamp as defensive coordinator (he will not coach bowl game) -- this Big 10/SEC matchup has a distinct identity.
Both schools want to run ... and then run some more.
The key matchup, however, is how the Badgers are able to contain Auburn's potent passing attack with quarterback Nick Marshall and athletic wideouts Sammie Coates and Duke Williams. While Auburn coach Gus Malzahn's offense thrives on the ground, it possesses big-play ability through the air with Coates and Williams stretching the field vertically. In seven games this season, Marshall, a dual-threat QB who posted more than 2,300 yards and 18 touchdowns through the air, averaged more than 10 yards per attempt. Coates and Williams are bona fide NFL prospects. How will Wisconsin shut that down while also focusing on Artis-Payne and the running game?
Yes, the Badgers did finish fifth nationally against the pass, but they faced just one offense that featured this type of explosive passing attack ... and that Ohio State team pummeled them 59-0 in the Big 10 title game behind (talented) third-string quarterback Cardale Jones.
Wisconsin allowed 257 yards and three touchdowns on just 18 passing attempts against the Buckeyes. It will need to improve dramatically in Tampa.
Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
The superstar junior running back just completed a 2,336-yard season with 26 touchdowns in spite of a non-existent passing game, and he didn't win the Heisman Trophy. He posted 11 games of 120-plus yards and broke the all-time single-game FBS record for rushing yards in a game with a mind-boggling 408 yards and four touchdowns against a nine-win Nebraska team ... and he didn't win the Heisman. (Of course Oklahoma's Samaje Perine re-broke the record a week later, but it came against Kansas. You be the judge.) With back-to-back seasons of at least 1,600 yards and double-digit touchdowns, this will be Gordon's final collegiate game.
Now, much of that Heisman "snub" talk comes courtesy of Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, who posted equally gaudy numbers against better competition, but if there's one can't-miss performance here, it'll be Gordon. Like many of his backfield predecessors, it's been a fantastic career. How will it all end?
13: Despite the 59-point shellacking at the hands of Ohio State, Wisconsin's defense still finished 13th nationally in scoring defense. In the Badgers' 10 wins, they allowed just 15.3 points per game.
6: Dating back to his first season as Auburn's offensive coordinator in 2009, Gus Malzahn's offense has boasted a 1,000 rusher with double-digit touchdowns: Auburn's Ben Tate, Cam Newton, Michael Dyer and Tre Mason and Arkansas State's David Oku were the first five players to hit those marks. Cameron Artist-Payne became No. 6 this season.
Wisconsin owns the better record and better defensive numbers, especially in terms of drive efficiency, but Auburn is a tested team that boasts a much more versatile offense. In a showdown of top-10 rushing attacks, take Nick Marshall and his receivers over Joel Stave & Co. in the passing game.
The Badgers laid an egg in the Big 10 Championship, and Auburn is similarly effective on the offensive side of the ball. With Anderson heading west and a coaching search overshadowing Wisconsin's bowl preparation, look for Auburn to be the better team in Florida and hand Alvarez his fourth loss in his past five bowl games.
