The Wisconsin Badgers and Auburn Tigers are set to face off in the 2015 Outback Bowl on New Year’s Day in Tampa, Fla. While both teams would like to bring some hardware back to campus, there is a whole lot more at stake here for the fans: free food.
Outback recently announced free appetizers for customers the day after the game is played, but it depends on who wins.
If Auburn is victorious, everyone gets a free Bloomin’ Onion with their meal. If the Badgers come out on top, America gets free Coconut Shrimp.
I know… this is not just a football game, people. It’s way bigger than that.
One would assume Wisconsin has the upper hand when looking at each team’s record from the 2014 season, but don’t start preparing to eat that free Bloomin’ Onion just yet. The Badgers enter this bowl game matchup with a 10-3 record, while the Tigers have posted an 8-4 mark through SEC action.
After digging deeper, Auburn has a pretty good chance of bring America some free Coconut Shrimp. Both squads are coming off losses to College Football Playoff-bound teams, but each did it very differently.
Running back Melvin Gordon and the Badgers got absolutely shellacked in the B1G Championship Game, losing to Ohio State by a score of 59-0. Auburn lost to top-ranked Alabama, but the Crimson Tide had to mount a late-game comeback to win a 55-44 shootout.
Another thing to consider is Wisconsin’s head coaching situation. Gary Anderson just bolted for Oregon State, while the Badgers recently named Paul Chryst the program’s new leader. Gus Malzahn has only been Auburn’s head coach since the end of 2013, but there’s more continuity on that sideline right now.
Auburn may have the slight advantage after taking these into consideration, but nobody should be ready to hand the game over to them. There is plenty of time to prepare, and each squad is likely taking full advantage. Unless you’re a diehard fan of either Wisconsin or Auburn, which appetizer would you rather have at Outback on January 2? That alone should determine who you’d like to see emerge victories.
While both dishes are equally fantastic, I’m going to side with the Bloomin’ Onion. It takes longer to eat (allowing more time to savor it), and there’s that special sauce that I can’t get enough of. By the process of elimination, it looks like I’ll be rooting for Auburn on New Year’s Day.
Which team are you rooting for in the Outback Bowl? Is this decision based on football preferences or food preferences?
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*Section Photo credit to Outback Steakhouse and Featured Photo (above) credit to raymondjamesstadium.com.
