BCS Preview: Rose Bowl

Matchup – Pac-12 Champion Oregon vs Big Ten Champion Wisconsin

Road to the Rose Bowl – Oregon: After playing for the National Title and being beaten by Auburn on the final play, hopes were high for Oregon again. National Title hopes were dashed early though as the Ducks were steamrolled by LSU at Jerry World in Dallas to open the season. From there, it was what has become the annual procession through conference play for Oregon with one speed bump this season, a home loss to probation saddled USC in November. Despite that, Oregon smoked Stanford for the second straight season and has lost just two Pac-10/12 games over the last three seasons (at Stanford in 2009 and USC in 2011). The Rose Bowl berth was clinched by whipping poor UCLA at home in the Pac-12 Championship Game, completing an 11-2 season.

Road to the Rose Bowl – Wisconsin: When Russell Wilson transferred into the program from NC State and became eligible immediately, the defending Big Ten Champion Badgers suddenly were looked at as national contenders as nearly everyone of consequence on the roster returned from last season's 11-2 team. Then Wilson played and played well and the hyperbole got out of hand as Wisconsin smoked loads of overmatched opponents at home culminating in a demolition of Nebraska in early October. Then came the road where the Wisconsin pass defense crumbled late allowing Michigan St. and Ohio St. to steal late wins, first on a Hail Mary and second on a desperation heave with under a minute to play. After the losses, Wisconsin scuffled but didn't stumble, ultimately getting its mojo back by obliterating Penn St. in a de facto division title game and outlasting Michigan St. in another shootout in the Big Ten Title Game.

Oregon offense vs Wisconsin defense: Advantage Oregon

The Oregon offense is one of the best in college football. The Wisconsin defense is average, especially away from home. Even with the extra time to prepare (the main kryptonite for the Oregon offense going back to 2009, Boise St., Ohio St., Auburn and LSU all had extra time either in a bowl game or the beginning of the season), Wisconsin is unlikely to slow the Oregon offense much. It lacks the overall personnel needed to do so.

Wisconsin offense vs Oregon defense: Advantage Wisconsin

The Wisconsin offense is also one of the best in the sport. It pounds between the tackles and uses Wilson to throw play action deep balls with great efficiency. Against Oregon, this approach has worked twice this season to great effect. LSU pounded the Oregon defense into submission in the Ducks first loss and USC hit the play action deep passes with Matt Barkley to win at Oregon. Considering Wisconsin uses both of those traits very well, it could be a long day for the Oregon defense.

Final Verdict: Oregon will win the game. There are just more ways for the Ducks to do it on offense and, despite Wisconsin's great offense, I don't think anyone (me included) has enough faith to believe it can score 40 points in this game.

Oregon 43, Wisconsin 35