Auburn vs. Purdue

FRANKLIN AMERICAN MORTGAGE MUSIC CITY BOWL - Jeff Brohm is doing a great job turning around the Purdue football program with its second bowl appearance in his two years at the helm, but the Boilermakers still are the underdogs in this matchup due to the fact that defensively they're #103 in the country in yards allowed (445.3 per game). Auburn is #44 in total yards allowed (363.6 per game) while allowing 19.6 points per contest, compared to 27.2 for the Boilermakers. Purdue started the season 0-3, including a loss to Eastern Michigan as a 15-point favorite, and then rebounded to win its next four games before losing three of its last five. The Boilermakers gave up an average of 41.3 points in a three-game stretch against Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Quarterback David Blough completed 66.6 percent of his passes for 3,521 yards with 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and D.J. Knox rushed for 868 yards on 5.8 yards per carry. Rondale Moore was Blough's favorite target with 103 receptions for 1,164 yards. Auburn comes off an expected loss to Alabama, but the Tigers have motivation in this game as they need to atone for last year's 34-27 loss as a 10.5-point favorite against Central Florida. QB Jarrett Stidham has thrown for 2,421 yards with a 60.1 percent completion rate. JaTarvious Whitlow is the leading rusher with 777 yards on 5.4 yards per carry. Coach Guz Malzahn will take over play-calling duties after offensive coordinator Chip Lindsey resigned to take the same job at Kansas. The big edge on defense gives the nod to the Tigers. Play Auburn.