The Rose Bowl Game will showcase two very similar schools in recent history. One played in this game a season ago (Wisconsin) while the other played for a national title. Oregon made this bowl two years ago but has dominated its conference the past three years.
The Rose Bowl Game presented by Vizio will feature Big Ten champion Wisconsin squaring off against Pac-12 champ Oregon in Pasadena. This will mark the fifth all-time meeting between the schools, with the Badgers owning a 3-1 series lead. However, the Ducks won the last meeting in Eugene, 31-28, back in 2001.
Our live Rose Bowl odds show Oregon -6 and the over/under at 72 points.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin secured their second straight Rose Bowl invite by winning the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game with a 42-39 verdict over Michigan State. The Badgers are working on a five-game win streak, which came on the heels of two consecutive defeats, which came after a 6-0 start. Wisconsin was 4-2 away from home this year, winning the past three such games.
Wisconsin is one of the few teams to be rated in the top-10 in the nation in both scoring offense and defense.
The Badgers rate fourth in the country in scoring offense (45 points per game) while compiling 467 yards per game (237 via the rush, 230 via the pass). Montee Ball leads the offense by setting the pace for the running attack with 1,759 yards and 32 scores on 6.4 yards per carry, while James White adds 683 yards and six scores on 5.1 yards per tote.
Russell Wilson has completed 72 percent of his attempts for 2,879 yards and 31 scores with three picks. The offensive line has allowed 23 sacks. The main receiving targets are Nick Toon and Jared Abbrederis, who have combined for 106 grabs for 1,636 yards and 16 touchdowns.
The Badger defense rates a strong sixth in the country in defense (17 ppg) and gives up 293 yards per game (155 through the air, 138 on the ground) while recording 23 sacks and generating 24 turnovers one taken back for a touchdown (Derek Landisch, fumble).
Mike Taylor anchors the unit with 137 tackles, while Chris Borland has a team-high four forced fumbles with 131 total stops. Louis Nzegwu has 4.5 sacks, while Shelton Johnson and Antonio Fenelus each have four interceptions.
Oregon
The Ducks suffered a season-opening defeat to LSU, then won nine in a row before a home defeat to USC, then ended the year with 98 points scored in wins against Oregon State and UCLA to take a third consecutive conference championship. The Ducks were 4-1 away from home this season, winning the last four such contests.
The Ducks rate third in the country in offense (46 ppg) while compiling 515 yards per contest (296 via the rush, 219 passing). LaMichael James anchors this run game with 1,646 yards and 17 scores on 7.4 yards per tote, while Kenjon Barner has 909 yards and 11 touchdowns on 6.3 yards per attempt.
Darron Thomas connects on 61 % of his passes for 2,493 yards and 30 scores with six picks. The offensive line has given up 12 sacks. De’Anthony Thomas is the top receiving threat with 42 receptions for 571 yards and nine scores, while Lavasier Tuinei has 40 grabs for 441 yards and eight touchdowns.
Defensively, the Ducks rank 48th in the nation in scoring defense (24 ppg) and allow 381 yards per game (244 passing, 137 rushing) while compiling 43 sacks and enticing 27 turnovers three of which were returned for touchdowns (Boseko Lokombo and Michael Clay, three picks).
John Boyett anchors the defensive unit with 91 tackles and two blocked kicks, while Clay has 89 tackles and a team-best two forced fumbles. Dion Jordan has 7.5 sacks, Eddie Pleasant has three picks and Brandon Hanna has three fumble recoveries.
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