The 2015 Outback Bowl vs. Wisconsin

Truth is I have not thought much about this game.  Things have changed since the Alabama game.  Coach Malzahn fired Ellis Johnson and hired Will Muschamp as our DC.  Duke Williams did not practice for the bowl game.  There was mystery until it was learned that he been suspended but will return next year.  The Wisconsin coach bolted for Oregon State.  The thing about bowl games is that you just never know what might happen.  Will Auburn be ready to play for this 11 a.m. kickoff?  We shall find out.  I think Auburn is favored but I'm not sure since I haven't paid much attention.  They have a great running back and we have CAP.  Who will win the battle of the running backs?  That's just a side note.  At least it's an early kickoff and I always like that.

FIRST QUARTER

The Tigers receive and after making 9 yards on first down fail to make the first down.
Wisconsin drives from their 11 for the touchdown.
We had a penalty on a foolish pass interference by Mincy to keep them on the field to continue the drive on a third and long.

Auburn 0  Wisconsin 7

The Tigers respond on their third possession with CAP banging in from the two.
We have some open receivers as the Badgers try to jam the run.

Auburn 7  Wisconsin 7

So far Wisconsin, a running team, has had the most success throwing the ball.
The quarter ends with Wisconsin on the AU 41 facing second and long after a sack.

SECOND QUARTER

So far it seems like there is not a lot of emotion on either side.
Both teams are playing pretty well but not much excitement on the field that I see.
We hold and Wisconsin punts to the AU seven.
The key for our defense is to get them in third and long.
Marshall is dropped at the three on first down.
Three and out and we punt from the 10.
It seems like one bad play or penalty and our offense can't get going except for that one drive.
No offensive rhythm.
The punt goes to the Badger 44.
So far I see two uninspiring teams.
Trovon Reed intercepts at the Auburn 33 on a third and 25.
Again  the key is to get them in third and long
Marshall hits Louis on a pretty pretty 66 yard post route.  Touchdown Auburn!

Auburn 14  Wisconsin 7

The Badgers drive but Whitehead intercepts at the AU 5.
That's our second interception of the game.
The Tigers have to punt from the 19 as Bray cannot bring in a first down pass.
Wisconsin starts at their 40.
There is an inopportune holding penalty on Therezie and Wisconsin is in Auburn territory.
There is a huge sack and the Badgers are back across midfield.
With 19 seconds to go Wisconsin has to punt.
The half ends with the Tigers up by 7 helped by two Wisconsin turnovers.

THIRD QUARTER

Wisconsin opens the second half by marching physically right down the field 75 yards in 6 plays.
Their offensive line overpowers our defense.
We're in trouble if this continues.  That was too easy.

Auburn 14  Wisconsin 14

The Tigers drive but bog down and Carlson hits a 51-yard FG.  Thank goodness we got something.

Auburn 17  Wisconsin 14

Our defense needs to man up or we're in big trouble.
The Badgers move the ball again.
McKinzy commits a late hit out of bounds.
We've seen these foolish penalties all year.  A lack of discipline.
All of a sudden Whitehead picks off another ill-advised pass on the Auburn 5.  That's timely!
There's an offensive face mask call on Coleman and we are really backed up.
CAP runs up the middle to the 20.  Good to see that.
The drive ends on a missed 44 yard FG attempt.
The Badgers manhandle our defense again as we miss tackles and don't cover gaps.
The score comes a 53 yard run up the middle on 4th and a foot.
Such poor defense.

Auburn 17  Wisconsin 21

The quarter ends with Auburn on our 24 second and four.

FOURTH QUARTER

This is not a good game to watch.  Both teams aren't very good today.
As long as Wisconsin keeps the ball on the ground they are in command unless our defense responds.
The offense responds with touchdown drive.
Marshall hits Uzomah for the 21 yard pass in the end zone. We have a ballgame.

Auburn 24  Wisconsin 21

The Badgers march down the field again, run after run for first down after first down.
We have no answer for their power running.

Auburn 24  Wisconsin 28

The Tigers drive to a 4th and 11 at the 15.
There is a clear pass interference call against Coates in the end zone.  First down at the two.
CAP bangs in for the touchdown with 2:55 left.

Auburn 31  Wisconsin 28

Well, here we go.  Can our defense get a stop?  I doubt it.
The Badgers have rammed the ball down our throats all second half.
I would rather our offense have to win this game but it will have to be the defense to this point.
With 1:11 left Wisconsin faces 3rd and 4 at the Auburn  32.
Wisconsin calls a timeout as their QB juggles the ball and there is a loss.
4th and 5 and they are going for it rather than go for the long potentially tying field goal.
56 seconds left.
First down pass to the 26.
Yikes!
2nd and 10 with 41 seconds left.
There is a short completion.
3rd and 5 at the 21.
Wisconsin calls their last timeout.
There is a first down pass to the 11.
Pass incomplete in the end zone.
20 seconds left.
Another incompletion.
15 seconds left.
Another incomplete pass.
4th down and they will go for the tying field goal.
It will be a 29 yarder.
The kick is good and we will go to overtime.
At least the defense held them to a field goal.
There was a costly 15 yard penalty on that drive on Frost for an obvious hit out of bounds.

Auburn 31  Wisconsin 31

OVERTIME

They are a power running team.  I think they have the advantage here.
Auburn wins the toss so Wisconsin goes on offense first.
The Badgers move to a first and goal at the 9 but we hold them to a field goal.

Auburn 31  Wisconsin 34

A touchdown wins it.
CAP loses 2 yards on first down.
Now it's 3rd and 12.  We need a big play.
Three plays and we go backwards.
There was a poor three plays and that's all there is to it.
Now we have to try a 45 yard field goal.
Carlson misses.  The ball hits the right upright.
This is a bad way to lose.
Our offense had a chance to win it in overtime and actually went backwards.
I did not expect this. 
The defense held them to two field goals in their last two possessions and our offense fizzles in overtime.
I don't like losing like this.  Now it will be a long time to next season.
Wisconsin was the best team.
A frustrating loss to end the 2014 season.