As a long-time Los Angeles resident, I’d much rather see UCLA or USC in the Rose Bowl. However, since I don’t have that pleasant option this year, I believe Wisconsin will go home victorious from Pasadena on Monday night. The Wisconsin Badgers play the Oregon Ducks in the big game.
The Badgers Have the Stars
There are two main reasons for my prediction, and they are Russell Wilson and Montee Ball. The two Badger stars will come to the game with some very impressive statistics. During the regular season, junior running back Ball scored an amazing 38 touchdowns, six from quarterback Wilson’s passes and 32 in running plays.
Those scoring plays were the most for any college player in the nation this year. Ball was also the fourth-highest on the ballot for the Heisman trophy. Wilson was ninth on the award voting.
The Ducks Are No Pushovers
Although the Big Ten champ Badgers go into the Rose Bowl with two of the best college football players of the season, they won’t find an easy victory against Pac-12 winner Oregon. The 11-2 overall record of both teams indicates they’re pretty evenly matched, and the Ducks can boast of their own superstars of this season.
Quarterback Russell Wilson this season passed for 2,879 yards and 31 touchdowns. Running back LaMichael James gained 1,646 yards. Both teams have been high scorers, with Oregan’s per game average 46.2 against Wisconsin’s 44.6. Many players on this year’s Wisconsin team are bringing Rose Bowl experience from last year, when they lost a hard-fought game to Texas Christian, 21-19.
Does Wisconsin Have Enough of An Edge?
I believe Wisconsin has the experience, talent and depth to win this year’s game by one touchdown. Of course, despite statistics and predictions, either team can show up for he important contest with just enough of an edge in enthusiasm and determination to be victorious.
Just maybe, a 95-year-old statistic could inspire the Oregon players to finally go home with a Rose Bowl win. Over the years, the Ducks have appeared in five of the New Year’s competitions in Pasadena, but haven’t won one since they beat the University of Pennsylvania in the World War I days of 1917.
It’s Always Sunny in Pasadena
The balmy Southern California weather is predicted to be in the mid-70s on January 2. The kick-off ball is scheduled to sail through the air at the 98th Rose Bowl at 2 p.m. on Monday (5 p.m. Eastern time). For the next several hours, all 92,542 fans of both teams in the stands, as well as the millions watching it on ESPN and Armed Forces TV, are in for a great game.
References
espn.go.com/college-football/ bowls
rosebowlstadium.com
Although born and raised with Eagles fans in Philadelphia, Freddy Sherman has always been a citizen of Raider Nation at heart. Since his dad got him a signed George Blanda football as child, to meeting Lyle Alzado in the 1980s, he hasn’t looked back. Follow him on twitter @thefredsherman
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