Front Porch FootballMusic City Bowl: Auburn vs. Purdue
by Chris Paschal
We will see very quickly if Auburn wants to be in Nashville for the Music City Bowl. The season started off with high expectations as the Tigers beat Washington in the Chick-fil-a Kickoff Game in Atlanta. This was a top 10 team according to most, including me. But the running game never got going (at least to Auburn’s standards), and inconsistent quarterback play led to a lackluster 7-5 record. Purdue is going to be fired up to play the Tigers. This is a Purdue program that feels like it can work its way to the top of the Big Ten West, and why shouldn’t they. Just a little over a week ago, the Boilermakers pulled in probably the best recruiting class in Purdue history, and with one of the most dynamic freshman in the country (Rondale Moore) returning for the next few seasons, Jeff Brohm is starting to get things rolling in West Lafayette. Auburn has the superior roster, but that and a few bucks will get you a cup of coffee if the Tigers are not fired up and focused.
Player To Watch
I’m cheating. This game boils down to something very simple for me. Will Auburn’s defensive line manhandle and dominate in the trenches or will they sleep walk through this game? That answers who wins this game. This is one of the more talented defensive lines in the country. If Auburn is able to stymie the rushing attack of Purdue and get some pressure on David Blough, they win this game. It’s that simple. Purdue has been able to outscore opponents. Purdue won a single game the entire season where they scored less than 30 points. When facing a tough defense, Purdue doesn’t win football games because they don’t have a defense of their own. If Auburn’s defensive line shows up angry and focused, this won’t be close.
Key to the Game
If I said Auburn’s mindset heading into the game was the key to the game, I think some of you would never look at this site again, so instead I’m going to say the key to the game is Jarrett Stidham and the Auburn passing attack. Purdue is statistically one of the worst passing defenses in the country. With Stidham leaving for the NFL after the Music City Bowl, this is the perfect opportunity for Stidham to put up gaudy numbers and torch an inferior pass defense. If Auburn is able to put up big passing numbers, the Tigers will be able to set up the rushing attack, which could lead to a massive Auburn scoring day.
Stat of the Game
As head coach at Auburn, Gus Malzhan is 1-4 in bowl games. That stat, along with a lackluster 7-5 record have caused some Auburn fans to call for Malzhan’s head. Blowout win over Purdue could be just what the doctor ordered. A loss… and 2019 is going to be an interesting year for Malzhan.
Prediction
It is so difficult to predict whether or not a team wants to be on the field or not. I thought Army was going to beat Houston because of their impressive rushing attack and Houston’s inability to stop a nosebleed. But I didn’t predict Houston was going to be checked out and defeated by the middle of the second quarter. Army was going to win that game either way, but 70-14 was more a result of one team wanting to be there and the other team not.
Because I cannot predict Auburn’s mindset, I am going to go purely off the players, the rosters, and the schemes. And going purely off those things, I think Auburn wins this football game. Stidham should be able to torch a horrific Purdue pass defense, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Auburn was able to rush for over 150 yards.
Purdue is going to score some points, but in the second half, Auburn’s defense is going to make a few key stops. Senior Deshaun Davis is going to fly around and make some plays. He’s undersized for the NFL, so he will have a chip on his shoulder in Nashville. A lot of these Tiger upperclassman, especially on the defensive side of the ball, are going to want to show NFL Scouts they are future pros. This pass rush is going to be a huge reason why Auburn wins this game.
