Rose Bowl 2012: Predictions and Spread Info for Wisconsin vs. Oregon

The No. 5 Oregon Ducks will take on the No. 10 Wisconsin Badgers on Monday in "The Granddaddy of Them All," the Rose Bowl. Both teams finished the regular season with marks of 11-2 and they won the Pac 12 and Big Ten titles respectively.

Oregon is back in the Rose Bowl after a one-year hiatus in which they lost the National Championship Game to Auburn. The Ducks haven't won a Rose Bowl since 1917, but they enter as the favorites this year. Oregon uses a fast-paced spread option attack to overwhelm opponents, led by quarterback Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael James.

Wisconsin was a dark-horse National Championship contender this season, but a couple losses on Hail Marys ended those hopes. Even so, the Badgers had a spectacular season thanks to a breakthrough campaign from quarterback Russell Wilson, a monster season from running back Montee Ball and consistently solid defense.

These two teams have very different styles, so this figures to be a highly-entertaining game. It could certainly go either way, but this game will go a long way in proving whether it is better to work at a quick pace or a deliberate pace on offense.

Where: Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif.

When: Monday, Jan. 2 at 5 p.m. EST

Watch: ESPN

Listen: WSUM 91.7 FM (Wisconsin) and KGAL 1580 AM (Oregon)

Betting Line: Oregon (-5.5)

Key Storyline: Can Wisconsin Bounce Back From Last Season's Rose Bowl Disappointment?

Wisconsin entered last season's Rose Bowl as a heavy favorite against the upstart TCU Horned Frogs. TCU completed a perfect season, however, winning the game 21-19. Despite the fact that the Horned Frogs were far better than any regular non-BCS school, the Badgers received some ridicule for allowing an outsider to win the Rose Bowl.

The Badgers will have a chance at redemption on Monday, however, as they take on Oregon. There are certainly some differences between the Wisconsin team of this year and last, but the Badgers still love to run the ball and play tough defense. If they can do both of those things successfully against the Ducks, then they may make everyone forget about last year.

Who Might Not Play for Wisconsin: C Peter Konz

The Badgers have perhaps the best center in college football in Peter Konz, but he may not be available for the Rose Bowl due to an ankle injury and is listed as questionable, according to USA Today. Konz has missed the past few weeks with the injury and his status is quite uncertain against Oregon.

Konz, a junior, was given first-, second- and third-team All-America honors and was also a finalist for the Rimington Trophy. Being without Konz for the Rose Bowl would be quite damaging to Wisconsin's chances as calls the signals along the offensive line. If Konz does play, it may be his last game as a Badger as he could enter the NFL Draft.

Who Might Not Play for Oregon: RB De'Anthony Thomas

With LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner already in the fold, it may not seem like a big deal for Oregon's third-string running back to be injured. Freshman De'Anthony Thomas is a big playmaker, though, and his presence would be missed if he couldn't play. According to USA Today, Thomas is questionable for the Rose Bowl with an undisclosed injury.

Thomas is a massive threat in the passing game as he totaled 571 yards and nine touchdowns in that regard this season, as well as 440 yards and five scores on the ground. On top of that, Thomas is a dangerous kick returner as he averaged nearly 29 yards per run back. If Thomas can't go, then it will take an important dimension away from Oregon's offense and special teams.

What They're Saying

One of the biggest storylines heading into the Rose Bowl is the contrast between the offenses of Wisconsin and Oregon. While the Badgers are more deliberate and like to possess the ball, the Ducks are all about speed and explosiveness. With that in mind, Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema understands the importance of controlling the ball, according to Tom Mulhern of the Wisconsin State Journal.

"

We always want to win the time-of-possession game. It's kind of our signature deal.

For us to win this game, we've got to play Wisconsin football. And that's a key element.

"

At the same time, Oregon offensive tackle Darrion Weems believes time of possession is little more than a fraudulent statistic.

"

Time of possession is one of those stats people get caught up in and hyped up about, to justify a team's success or something. It means nothing...It's all what you do with (the ball).

"

Wisconsin Player to Watch: RB Montee Ball

It may have taken some time for Wisconsin running back Montee Ball to get the recognition he deserves, but the dominant Badger back was named a finalist for the Heisman Trophy this season. He only finished fourth, but his outlandish numbers of 1,759 rushing yards and 38 total touchdowns suggest he should have fared better.

While quarterback Russell Wilson is a big part of Wisconsin's offense, there is no question that Ball is the player that the Badgers hang their hat on. Ball is just one touchdown short of Barry Sanders' single-season NCAA record, so expect Ball to get the ball early and often, especially near the goal line.

Oregon Player to Watch: RB LaMichael James

A team that averaged 295 rushing yards per game like Oregon relies on multiple players to carry the load, but there is no question that running back LaMichael James is the bell-cow back for the Ducks. James was a Heisman finalist last season, and while he didn't achieve that honor again this season, he was no less impressive.

Despite missing two games due to injury, James piled up 1,646 rushing yards and 18 total scores on the year, including four games with at least 200 yards rushing. While Kenjon Barner and De'Anthony Thomas (if he plays) will take some of the pressure off James, he will be Oregon's offensive focal point. If he can deliver one of his signature 200-yard games, then the Ducks should be on their way to victory.

Key Matchup: Montee Ball vs. Oregon Run Defense

When the Ducks went to the National Championship Game last season, the talk often centered on whether Oregon's defense was the real deal. While they weren't elite, the Ducks' defense held up well and wasn't something that held the team back. Things are a bit different this year, however, as both of Oregon's losses can be attributed to poor defense.

The Ducks have proven susceptible to allowing some big gains in the running game, and that could be a major issue against the Badgers, who average 237 rushing yards per game, most of which comes from Montee Ball. If Oregon can hunker down and play more like last season, then it shouldn't be an issue. If the Ducks are lax in any way, though, Ball will make them pay.

Prediction

Wisconsin 42, Oregon 38