Rose Bowl 2012: Wisconsin Will Leave Nation in Awe with Victory over Ducks

The 2012 Rose Bowl is set to be the shocker of all the bowl games, as the Wisconsin Badgers are primed to come out victorious over the LaMichael James-led No. 5 Oregon Ducks.

The No. 10 Badgers have been as hot as any team in the nation to finish off the season, as they have recorded five straight wins that include two victories over ranked teams. The last two wins of the year were over both No. 19 Penn State and No. 13 Michigan State.

The Nittany Lions were blown out 45-7 by the Badgers, while the team also recorded a 42-39 victory over the Spartans. 

The Ducks have been solid as well to finish off the year, as the team has won two of its last three games. Yet both wins came against Oregon State and UCLA, while also dropping a game to Matt Barkley and USC as well.

In spite of boasting a strong showing throughout the season, as well as the top-notch play from Ducks RB and Heisman candidate LaMichael James, these Ducks will find themselves doomed against the Badgers defense.

The Badgers defense allows the sixth fewest points in the nation, giving up just 17 points per contest. Giving up fewer than 20 points in five of its last six games, these Badgers are a team capable of countering the powerful offense of the Ducks.

This season, James has been a force for the Ducks with over 1,600 yards rushing for the team this season. Yet James will be tested by the best defense he has faced all season since meeting up with LSU in Week 1 of the season.

In that game against that LSU defense, James was unable to get anything going on the ground. He would pick up just 54 yards on 16 carries, averaging just three yards per carry.

Meanwhile the Badgers have also been scoring big this season offensively, ranking No. 5 in the nation with 44.6 points per game.

They also have a player by the name of Montee Ball, who has recorded over 1,700 yards rushing and a whopping 32 touchdowns. Ball has easily out-done James this season and will counter the play of James in this thriller of a contest.

In four of the five straight wins the team has put together to finish the year, the Badgers have scored at least 42 points. Defensively, they have been able to hold teams under 18 points four times during the win-streak.

A team as well balanced as the Badgers are on both sides of the football has proven its worth this season, as there is no question the Ducks will experience struggles keeping up with this football team on both ends.

This is a defense capable of slowing down James out of the backfield and putting pressure throughout the contest offensively with their point scoring ability. In a game that will be decided on both momentum and more complete football, the Badgers will come out victorious against these Ducks.