MUSIC CITY BOWL (Nashville) -- This one is pretty simple, or at least it appears to be. Kentucky comes from that muck at the bottom of a top-heavy SEC. Northwestern comes in winning and covering its last seven games and going 9-1 ATS in its last 10. Underrated Northwestern is the play.

MUSIC CITY BOWL (Nashville) -- Northwestern can score. That we know. The purple-colored Wildcats averaged 40 points in their three closing games, and RB Justin Jackson is usually good for 100 rushing yards per. Kentucky ranks 89th in yards yielded for each. run at 4.8, allowed the most passing yardage in the SEC and just suspended LB Denzil Ware, the team’s No. 2 tackler for losses. Can the blue-clad Wildcats uphold their end of the deal? Yes. Before running into Georgia and Louisville down the home stretch, they scored at a 36-point clip over a three-game stretch, mainly on the back of RB Benny Snell. Kentucky landed in Over territory in four of those five outings. The cold but clear weather conditions will not inhibit scoring.

MUSIC CITY BOWL (Nashville) -- Justin Jackson has proven throughout his career in Evanston that he's a legit stud at running back. His work against a weak Kentucky running defense, combined with a smart performance from Northwestern quarterback Clayton Thorson, will prove to be the right mix in the Music City, as Pat Fitzgerald's crew will pull away late for a win -- but by a touchdown or less.

MUSIC CITY BOWL (Nashville, Tenn.) -- I feel as though Northwestern has flown under the radar this season and has been one of the more consistent teams in the Big Ten. You can make a case that Kentucky was a few plays away from being in the SEC Title game. But, close only counts in horseshoes and grenades. Northwestern’s offense will take full advantage of a leaky UK defense.