2013 Gator Bowl picks and predictions: Most picking Wildcats over Bulldogs

The 2013 Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl isn't the flashiest matchup of the remaining bowl games (that probably always goes to Oregon because of their uniforms), but it does involve two teams that showed incredible improvement from last season. The Northwestern Wildcats (9-3) and Mississippi St. Bulldogs (8-4) both finished 2011 well under .500, and rebounded this season to play in a New Year's Day bowl game.

While their records only show a one-game difference and the Bulldogs play in the tougher SEC, most experts from Yahoo! Sports, CBS Sports and Scout.com are picking the Wildcats. Pat Forde and Graham Watson from Yahoo! favor Northwestern, which looked bound for the Rose Bowl before an overtime loss in to Michigan on the second Saturday in November. While CBS Sports' panel of experts isn't unanimous, they also have the Wildcats tabbed to win the game. Only Jerry Hinnen has the Bulldogs winning. Likewise, the staff over at Scout.com is also picking the Bulldogs and even gave a score, predicting a 31-27 finish.

The Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl is set for Tuesday, Jan. 1 at 1 p.m. CT from Everbank Field in Jacksonville.