2012 Rose Bowl: Oregon Ducks Must Hold the Wisconsin Badgers to Under 35 Points

The Oregon Ducks (11-2) and Wisconsin Badgers (11-2) will meet up in the 2012 Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. on Jan. 2, 2012.

Cantor Gaming currently has the Ducks laying five points on a neutral field, and the total has settled in at 71.5.

Oregon will certainly be challenged on the defensive end, facing one of the top offensive units in all of college football, something that casual bettors will certainly need to handicap.

The Ducks are 1-26 against the spread when playing as a favorite and giving up 35 or more points.

Let's take a look at this highly-anticipated matchup from a betting perspective.

Wisconsin Badgers Scoring Margin

The Wisconsin Badgers enjoyed a tremendous regular season and have outscored opponents by 27.6 points per game.

That particular margin was third best in the country, trailing only the LSU Tigers (27.9) and Houston Cougars (27.7).

Oregon Ducks vs. Current Members of the Big Ten Conference in the Rose Bowl

The Oregon Ducks have tallied a 1-4 all-time mark when playing in the Rose Bowl, including an 0-3 mark when playing current members of the Big Ten Conference.

Bettors will also find that the program is 1-4 ATS against Big Ten foes.

Wisconsin Badgers Jump on Opponents Early

The Wisconsin Badgers must jump on the Oregon Ducks early to win this particular contest, allowing them to control the pace of the game.

Wisconsin has outscored its opponents by a sizable 149-38 margin in the first quarter.

The Ducks are known for starting slow and then erupting offensively against quality opponents.

De'Anthony Thomas, Oregon Ducks RB/WR

The Oregon Ducks have the ability to take it to the house on every offensive play, and freshman De'Anthony Thomas has the chance to be the difference maker.

He finished the regular season as the only player in the country to amass 400 or more yards in rushing, receiving and kick returning.

Thomas has scored 16 touchdowns in 13 games.

Wisconsin Badgers Score Touchdowns in the Red Zone

The Wisconsin Badgers are going to reach the red zone a few times in this affair, which will likely lead to touchdowns rather than field goals.

Quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Montee Ball are a tough matchup for any defense, leading to touchdowns in 61 of 70 trips inside the 20-yard line.

That's a powerful statistic when getting points in Las Vegas.

Prediction

The Oregon Ducks are definitely capable of winning this game in outright fashion, but I can't trust the program's 0-5 ATS mark when favored against Big Ten opponents.

Wisconsin is also a nifty 6-1 ATS as a bowl underdog of 3.5 to 10 points.

I'm taking the points.

Pick: Wisconsin Badgers (+6)