2012 Rose Bowl Preview, Prediction, and Pick Against the Spread – Wisconsin Vs. Oregon

It will be a classic Big Ten vs. Pac-12 matchup in the 2012 Rose Bowl when Oregon and Wisconsin go head to head. The Wisconsin Badgers played in the Rose Bowl last season and lost to TCU. This year Wisconsin went 6-2 in the Big Ten and 11-2 overall. The Badgers losses came in back to back weeks against Michigan State and Ohio State. Wisconsin enters the Rose Bowl as the #10 team in college football.

The Oregon Ducks played for the national title last year losing to Cam Newton and the Auburn Tigers. Oregon started the regular season with a loss to the #1 LSU Tigers. Oregon only lost one other game, 38-35 to USC, and head into the Rose Bowl with an overall record of 11-2. Oregon won the first Pac-12 championship game against UCLA and is currently ranked #5 in the nation.

When Oregon is on Offense

The Ducks offense was 3rd in the nation scoring 46.2 points per game and are one of six teams in college football to average over 500 yards a game this season. Oregon has tons of speed and likes to spread the defense to open space for their players to operate.

Junior quarterback Darron Thomas was outstanding this season with 2493 yards and 30 touchdowns. Thomas is an athletic quarterback that can make plays with his legs as well as his arm. The Ducks’ rushing attack was 5th in the nation with 295.7 yards per game. Junior LaMichael James went over 1000 yards rushing for the third straight season. James averaged 7.4 yards per carry this season on his way to 1646 yards rushing. Backup Kenjon Barner is a talented running back and averaged 6.3 yards per carry with 909 yards total. De’Anthony Thomas is an electric player that ran for 440 yards and had 571 yards receiving.

The Wisconsin Badgers defense ranked 6th in the country allowing only 17.0 points per game. The Badgers have not faced a team as explosive and fast as Oregon this season. Good tackling is always important, but Wisconsin really needs to make sure they wrap up Oregon’s playmakers.

When Wisconsin is on Offense

Wisconsin brings a talented offense to the Rose Bowl as well. The Badgers were 5th in college football averaging 44.6 points per game this season. Quarterback Russell Wilson was phenomenal for the Badgers this year. Wilson completed 72% of his passes for 31 touchdowns and only 3 interceptions. Wilson has two reliable receivers in Nick Toon (822 yards) and Jared Abbrederis (814 yards). Montee Ball leads the nation in rushing (1759 yards) and his 38 touchdowns are by far the most in college football this season.

The Ducks gave up an average of 23.6 points per game this season. Oregon’s offense scores so quickly that the defense spends a lot of time on the field. Oregon likes to rush the passer and was 3rd in the nation with 42 sacks. The Ducks’ defense also came up with 16 interceptions this year.

2012 Rose Bowl Pick Against the Spread

Oddsmakers currently have Oregon as 5-point favorites over Wisconsin in the 2012 Rose Bowl. This should be a back and forth, high scoring affair in Pasadena. I think Oregon has way too much speed for Wisconsin’s defense. LaMichael James, Kenjon Barner, and De’Anthony Thomas all have the ability to score from anywhere on the field. I am taking Oregon to win and cover the 5 points.

2012 Rose Bowl Prediction

Oregon – 42
Wisconsin – 31

Source

espn.go.com/college-football/bowls


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