This season, The Plainsman will make staff picks of Auburn's weekly matchups. Also look for our selections for the national showdowns in the "Plainsman Pick 'Em" section in the print edition of our publication.
Here are our picks for Auburn vs. Purdue in the Music City Bowl (12:30 p.m. CST, ESPN).
Nathan King, sports editor:
I'm genuinely expecting this game to be one of the better matchups this bowl season. Purdue has been hot-and-cold this year, yes, but Auburn has been wildy inconsistent as well in the 2018 season, which has actually included positives despite the disappointing record.
The bowl means a lot to the Boilermakers and Jeff Brohm. It also means a lot to Auburn's plethora of talented seniors who are itching to send a down year off on a high note. I see the Tigers using an improved run game, stifling front seven and expected home-field advantage to edge out a win.
Prediction: Auburn 35, Purdue 27.
Cole McCauley, sports writer:
It has certainly been a let-down season for Gus Malzahn and the Tigers. A 7-5 finish is far below where many fans and experts had Auburn before the season.
On the other hand, despite a 6-6 record, former Western Kentucky head coach Jeff Brohm has done a solid job lifting the Boilermakers up from obscurity In the Big Ten.
led by arguably the most versatile offensive weapon in the country in freshman Rondale Moore (1367 yards from scrimmage and 13 TD’s) the struggling Auburn offense should have trouble keeping up.
With Purdue’s ability to play up to stronger competition (see their 29-point massacre vs. Ohio in October) and Gus Malzahn’s tendency to under perform in bowl games, I’m expecting a close Boilermaker victory as Auburn fans will do their best to forget this season and try to look toward to 2019
Prediction: Purdue 31, Auburn 27.
Tyler Roush, assistant sports editor:
Following a November and start to December that hosted coaching changes and rivalry breakdowns, inconsistency follows Auburn to Nashville.
While Purdue, whose season is highlighted by a win over then-No. 2 Ohio State and then-No. 16 Iowa, is led by freshman wide receiver Rondale Moore, Auburn will also continue to look to its youth for production to lead its seniors toward a positive season ending.
With prospective home-field advantage in the South and Gus Malzahn’s return to the offensive clipboard, look for Auburn to revitalize its run game in what should be a close game against the Boilermakers.
Prediction: Auburn 24, Purdue 21
Jake Wright, sports writer:
Auburn needs to win this game to ease some of the tension on Gus Malzahn entering the 2019 season. Auburn has struggled majorly under Malzahn in bowl games as they are 1-4 with their lone win coming over group of 5 Memphis.
Purdue on the other hand is in love with Jeff Brohm, and they even kept him after his alma mater Louisville came calling earlier this month. Brohm has got Purdue to back to back bowl games in his first two seasons in West Lafayette.
On the gridiron, Purdue has shown flashes of excellence as they dominated Ohio State. Their receiver Rondale Moore may be the best freshmen in the country. Auburn will need to stop him in order to pull out a victory.
I expect it to be a tight game and come down to their wire. Purdue's defense hasn't been great, and I expect Auburn to move the ball. Auburn will pull out a slugfest in a good game.
Prediction: Auburn 31, Purdue 27.
Sumner Martin, sports writer:
The Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl will host an intriguing matchup b two teams trending in very different directions. Gus Malzahn and his Tigers finished the regular season, once again, with a five-loss season after coming into the season ranked in the Top 10. Purdue, on the other hand, has made back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time in six years.
The contest features two longtime friends at the quarterback position. The Boilermakers are led by fifth-year quarterback David Blough who is having a career season. Blough threw for 3,521 yards and 25 touchdowns, while also throwing for at least 300 yards seven different occasions. Auburn starter, Jarrett Stidham, hasn’t had the same success. Stidham, who came into the year as one the top NFL prospects at his position, has fallen off this season compared to his efficient campaign last year when he led the Tigers to an SEC West crown and an SEC Championship birth.
The difference however will be on the defensive side of the ball. Auburn, despite dropping statistically late in the season, made a habit of turning over SEC offenses, picking off opponents 12 times this year. The Tigers will need a big play from their defense to secure the win in Nashville.
Prediction: Auburn 27, Purdue 23
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