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The Outback Bowl kicks off Wednesday New Year's Day at 1 pm EST and features the Minnesota Golden Gophers versus the Auburn Tigers. The line on this game was set at Auburn -6.5 or -7 depending on the book.
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Both teams will have new offensive coordinators for this game.
Former Arkansas head coach Chad Morris was named a few days before Christmas to replace Kenny Dillingham at Auburn after Dillingham took a similar post at Florida State.
Kirk Ciarrocca announced he was leaving shortly after Christmas.
Minnesota coach P.J. Fleck immediately named wide receivers coach Matt Simon to serve as interim offensive coordinator for the bowl with Greg Harbaugh.
Winning Margin of Victory Odds
Auburn Win By 01-03 Points
Auburn Win By 04-06 Points
Auburn Win By 07-10 Points
Auburn Win By 11-13 Points
Auburn Win By 14-17 Points
Auburn Win By 18-21 Points
Auburn Win By 22 or More
UMN Win By 01-03 Points
UMN Win By 04-06 Points
UMN Win By 07-10 Points
UMN Win By 11-13 Points
UMN Win By 14-17 Points
UMN Win By 18-21 Points
UMN Win By 22 or More
Both teams have shown capability on offense. The Tigers (9-3) averaged 34.0 points and 421.1 total yards per game this season and the Gophers 34.3 and 426.8, respectively. The key will come down to their defensive efforts, and the Tigers might have an edge there.
Though pass-rushing specialist Nick Coe is sitting out the game to prepare for the NFL draft, Auburn will have senior defensive tackle Derrick Brown (12.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks) and defensive end Marlon Davidson (12.5/7.5) ready to go.
Minnesota, meanwhile, will be without linebacker Kamal Martin, who had 66 tackles (2.5 TFLs) and two interceptions despite missing four games to a knee injury. He is sitting out to prepare for the draft.
"Kamal had a tough decision to make in his last game with his knee," Fleck said. "He needed to get some things fixed. He needed to clean some stuff up. He made a tough decision, but a decision's got to be made and I support him 100 percent."
There are no recent head-to-head meetings between these two teams.
The Golden Gophers are 7-2 Against The Spread in their last 9 games overall.
The Tigers are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
- Tony Caliente, Gambling911.com
