Live from the Rose Bowl: Oregon Ducks Win over Wisconsin Badgers, 45-38

The Oregon Ducks finally have the bowl monkey off their backs. 

The Ducks' convincing win over a strong Wisconsin Badgers team in the 2012 Rose Bowl was the giant step the Ducks needed to take to be at ease among college football's elite programs.

First, you need to know that it's hot at the Rose Bowl: 82 degrees at kickoff.  I'm coming to you live from Tunnel 9, and baby, we are in the sun until it finally, thankfully, drops behind that hill just to the west of the bowl at the start of the second half. 

The sea of yellow Pacific Northwesterners are all sun-blocked up and do not dare complain about how hot it is. 

At halftime, the score is 28-28, but there is a calmness in Duckland.  Somehow, we all know that this is our day, our time. 

The Wisconsin band is better than the Oregon band. But Oregon's pregame tailgate was better. 

In fact, we never saw an official Wisconsin gathering.  If there was one, it was invisible in Arroyo Seco.  It's clear that the Oregon program is getting used to the big stage.  From the huge pep rally at the Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, to the giant tailgate party, it felt as if the Ducks took over Los Angeles. 

One cannot get a beer at halftime; the lines are just too long.  My most excellent companion sneaks out at the start of the third quarter to score us a burger and a beer and, yes, I'm embarrassed to say he misses a Ducks touchdown. 

We sucker the Badgers by running LaMichael James twice until they were in the groove, and then we sneak in a quick wide left sweep to De'Anthony Thomas. 

Goodbye, Badger defenders. Hello touchdown, Oregon. 

He was faster and smoother than the Stealth airplane that did a flyover just prior to kickoff. True to his season-long form as the freshman with the mostest, Thomas touched the ball twice in the game, both lightning fast runs going for the end zone. 

His modest per carry yardage?  77.5 yards. 

In our seat row, we discuss how somewhere in the stadium, Lane Kiffin is shaking his head and wondering how this kid got out of Los Angeles.

If the election were held tonight, DAT could be elected Governor of the state of Oregon.  So, too, the Nike guy that designed the new helmets.  They are just so darn cool.

Make no mistake, however, this win was a true team effort. 

If Michael Clay doesn't jump on that Badger fumble; if Kiko Alonso (remember him?) doesn't intercept Russell Wilson's pass; if LaMichael James doesn't get his 159 yards; if Lavasier Tuinei doesn't catch eight balls; if John Boyett isn't present for 17 tackles; if Chip Kelly doesn't outcoach Bret Bielema; the Ducks don't win.

And if every single yellow-wearing true Ducks fan doesn't rise up with one powerful voice and absolutely refuse to let our team lose, the day might end differently.

Oregon 45, Wisconsin 38.  It's as beautiful as the sun setting behind the Rose Bowl.