Northwestern Wildcats vs. Tennessee Volunteers
The Tennessee Volunteers weren’t able to ever fully gain their footing in the vaunted SEC this season, but they were still able to make some waves as they finished the regular season with an 8-4 record. On Friday afternoon, the Volunteers will go to Raymond James Stadium to take to on the also talented Northwestern Wildcats in the 2015 Outback Bow.
Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs will undoubtedly lead the way for the Volunteers as his ability to run at his position has been his team’s greatest strength this year. Even still, Jalen Hurd will need to help carry the rushing game out of the backfield if the Vols want to have success. Northwestern is also led by their rushing attack in the form of star running back Justin Jackson. However, freshman Clayton Thorson will need to play beyond what he has for most of this season in the Outback Bowl to help lead his team.
Details for Friday’s game are below:
Date: Friday, Jan. 1
Start Time: Noon ET
Location: Tampa, FL
Stadium: Raymond James Stadium
TV Info: ESPN2
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Radio: Here
Keys to Victory
For Tennessee against this Northwestern team, the key is going to be to stay aggressive offensively throughout the entire game and no matter the score. On numerous occasions this season, the Volunteers accrued a lead and then let off of the gas with what Butch Jones was allowing Dobbs to do and the offense to do as a whole. Ultimately, that conservativeness cost them a couple of games and it could cost them this one if it were to happen again. Keeping their head down and going full force for 60 minutes will be of the utmost importance.
While Jackson will play a huge role for Northwestern in the Outback Bowl, the more important thing for the Wildcats will be Thorson at quarterback. He’s shown the ability to move the ball with his legs, but he’ll need to diversify the offense against an SEC defense, even a mediocre one such as Tennessee, by throwing the ball effectively. If he’s unable to do so, that could end quite poorly for the Wildcats.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Tennessee -8
Moneyline: Tennessee -325, Northwestern +270
O/U: 47.5
Prediction
Though Northwestern has a ton of talent and has had a great season, I don’t think they have near the talent or versatility to match up with Tennessee in the Outback Bowl. I have Tennessee winning in convincing fashion.
Final Score: Northwestern Wildcats: 17, Tennessee Volunteers: 31