CITRUS BOWL -- In a normal year, Auburn would not be playing in a New Year’s Day bowl. Cutting ties with Gus Malzahn should add motivation on the shoulders of the Tigers. Additionally, Northwestern’s 7-1 ATS mark has masked the poor touchdown-to-interception ratio of Patrick Ramsey. Expect Auburn to have a gutsy effort win or lose and cover the generous spread.

Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald, like most coaches, tends to loosen his hold on the reins offensively in bowl games. His teams have produced at least 50 points in all 10 of his appearances. Auburn, which has an interim coach, has had five of its last seven bowls exceed 60 total points, while another finished in the 50s. Prior to the Tigers’ last game, they had a run of seven connective outings this season with a sum above this total. On a warm, sunny afternoon, both offenses should flex their muscles enough to exceed 43.5. Two decent QBs in Auburn's Bo Nix and Northwestern's Peyton Ramsey help the cause.

CITRUS BOWL -- Wouldn't shock me if this is the lowest-scoring bowl game of the year involving a Power 5 school. Northwestern is a fabulous defensive team that ranks fifth nationally in allowing just 15.5 ppg and held high-powered Ohio State to 22 points in the Big Ten title game. In addition, Auburn will be without top WR Anthony Schwartz and, according to various reports, perhaps star running back Tank Bigsby, the co-SEC Freshman of the Year. The Tigers struggled offensively as it was in 2020, part of the reason Gus Malzahn was fired. Defensively, Auburn is allowing 23.7 ppg. That's a really low total, but this looks like a 20-13 game.

CITRUS BOWL -- Auburn's offense is as disjointed as they come and Northwestern doesn't want to play up-tempo, high-scoring games. Both of these teams will treat this like and old-school fist fight that is won and lost in the trenches. This has all of the feels of a 20-13 kind of game.