BCS Bowl Predictions: 5 Bold Predictions for Rose Bowl

We've had to wait long enough, but the BCS bowls are just days away.

First up is the Rose Bowl, which this year features a matchup between Wisconsin and Oregon that's sure to give the scoreboard a workout. The Badgers were the fourth-highest scoring team in the nation this season, and the Ducks were No. 3 in scoring.

Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday, and then we'll start to find out for sure how these two teams stack up.

I'm going to jump the gun a little. I have a few predictions I'd like to share, and I assure you they are quite bold.

Literally. Bold. 

Darron Thomas Will Throw Fewer Than 25 Passes

So why exactly is this a bold prediction?

Because Darron Thomas is asked to chuck it every now and again.

There are times when Chip Kelly limits Thomas' throws, and there are times when he has Thomas air it out. Despite the firepower Oregon has in its rushing attack, it's not unheard of for Thomas to throw the ball upwards of 30 times in a given game.

I think the Ducks are going to be able to run the football on the Badgers.

Wisconsin allowed nearly 140 rushing yards per game and about four yards per rush during the regular season. While those aren't terrible numbers, they are cause for concern against a Ducks offense that finished third in the nation in rushing.

If Oregon is successful on the ground, Thomas' right arm will get to take it easy.

LaMichael James Will Rush For Over 200 Yards

Part of the reason I think Thomas will enjoy a light day throwing the football is because he usually does whenever LaMichael James goes off.

And James will go off against the Badgers. He didn't have the healthiest season, but he still managed to average 7.4 yards per rush, and he rushed for over 200 yards four times.

As I mentioned above, Wisconsin's defense is hardly impenetrable against the run. You can expect James to get as many as 25 or 30 carries, and he's not going to have much difficulty using them to rack up yards.

I'll admit that 200 yards is a lot, but these are bold predictions.

Russell Wilson Will Throw Two Interceptions

This bold prediction borders on being stupid, as Wilson has only thrown three interceptions all year.

But hey, he did throw two of them against Michigan State in Wisconsin's first loss. The Spartans' defense demonstrated in that game that Wilson is not superhuman, and I see no reason why the Ducks won't be able to do the same.

Part of the problem is that Wilson will likely be asked to throw the ball a lot against Oregon. The Ducks make their opponents throw the football, and they will take the ball away. They finished among the national leaders with 16 interceptions this season.

Russell Wilson was one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country during the regular season, but the Ducks will get the better of him.

Montee Ball Will Score Four Rushing Touchdowns

The Badgers are going to have to generate offense somehow, and the best way for them to do that will be to get the ball to Ball...Montee Ball, that is.

That's not asking too much. Ball led the nation in rushing with 1,759 yards during the regular season, and his 32 rushing touchdowns were five more than the next-closest player had.

Oregon's defense is solid, but you have to worry about its ability to get any kind of push against Wisconsin's massive offensive line.

There will be running lanes for Ball to get through, and he'll keep the Badgers in the game by doing what he does best: Finding the end zone.

He'll find his way there four times.

Oregon Will Win By Double Digits

In the first half, I wouldn't be surprised if the Rose Bowl is a close, hard-fought contest.

That's par for the course when it comes to Oregon's games, but what makes the Ducks so good is their ability to bury their opponents in the second half.

I'm banking on the Ducks doing just that in the Rose Bowl. The Badgers will hang around and hang around, but the Ducks will pull away late and win by double digits.