Holiday Bowl 2015: USC vs. Wisconsin TV Schedule, Time and Odds
Though regulated to a late-night kickoff, the first meeting between the No. 25 USC Trojans and the Wisconsin Badgers since 1966 in Wednesday's Holiday Bowl promises a heavyweight bout for the ages.
The wild ride for USC's almost over. An elite Cody Kessler-led offense hopes to thwart a controversy-riddled campaign and the departure of former head coach Steve Sarkisian by upending one of the nation's top defenses.
Wisconsin's hoping to do much of the same and forget about a drubbing at the hands of Alabama and two close losses to Big Ten opposition to finish at 9-3.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Here's a look at everything to know about one of bowl season's best matchups.
Game Details
When: Wednesday, December 30, at 10:30 p.m. ET
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
Television: ESPN
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Tickets: ScoreBig.com
Over/Under: 50
Spread: USC (-3.5)
Team Injury Reports
| Kevon Seymour | CB | Ques Wed |
| Tre Madden | RB | Out Wed |
| Chad Wheeler | T | Prob Wed |
| Alex Wood | PK | Ques Wed |
| Cameron Smith | LB | Out for season |
| Lamar Dawson | LB | Out for season |
| Leon McQuay III | S | Ques Wed |
| Toa Lobendahn | G | Out for season |
| Isaac Whitney | WR | Out indefinitely |
| Max Tuerk | C | Out for season |
| Corey Clement | RB | Ques Wed |
| Derrick Tindal | CB | Ques Wed |
| Walker Williams | OL | Ques Wed |
| Hayden Biegel | OL | Out indefinitely |
| Dan Voltz | OL | Out for season |
| Robert Wheelwright | WR | Prob Wed |
| Leon Jacobs | LB | Out for season |
| Ray Ball | OL | Out indefinitely |
Injury reports courtesy of USA Today.
One for the Future
USC just underwent one of its most trying years in recent memory.
The Trojans started out ranked in the Top 10 but lost a coach during a skid of three losses in four games. Kessler and Co. recovered to win five of their last six, only to once again get slapped with a loss to Stanford.
In the 41-22 loss, USC got just 187 yards and one score from Kessler. Meanwhile, the Cardinal played stout defense, and the offense posted 262 rushing yards and a pair of scores.
Wisconsin might be even better than Stanford defensively.
All of three teams scored more than 20 points on the Badgers this year after the ugly loss to Alabama. Kessler should be up to task, though, after completing 67.6 percent of his passes this year with 28 touchdowns to six interceptions.
The 22-year-old quarterback will lean on JuJu Smith-Schuster to counter the elite defense. Numbers suggest it should work considering USC's top wideout has 85 catches for 1,389 yards and 10 scores on the year.
Any avenue works, though, as the Trojans have rallied around new head coach Clay Helton and eventual departures such as Kessler look to leave their mark on the program by pointing the ship in the right direction.
The Hunt for Validity
With nine wins, a defense ranked third in total defense, fourth against the run and sixth against the pass still has something to prove.
As impressive as the Badgers have been, naysayers point to the program's schedule this year and hint it might have more to do with the gaudy numbers (or lack thereof) than the unit itself.
Badgers outside linebacker Vince Biegel spoke on the topic with ESPN.com's Jesse Temple.
"That's an extremely fair question," Biegel said. "I think a lot of question marks are around, have we played enough high-ranking offenses? Have we played high-caliber teams who would solidify us as a top-tier defense? And I think that's the biggest question."
Allowing three touchdowns to Alabama running back Derrick Henry in the 35-17 season-opening loss didn't help the perception. Neither does the fact the Badgers lost their only two games against Big Ten opponents with winning records.
Alas, Wednesday provides the Badgers a chance to alter the narrative. They'll lean on a strong complementary running game to do so thanks to Dare Ogunbowale (769 yards and seven scores) and a potentially returning Corey Clement.
If the classic balanced Big Ten approach works, there won't be any further doubts.
Prediction
One might have a bit of confusion over the line out of Las Vegas here—how can a team with nine wins and such dominant defensive numbers be the underdog?
Look at it this way: Wisconsin has yet to beat an FBS team with a winning record this year.
The Trojans have been through quite a lot this season, making the 8-5 mark and Kessler's incredible numbers all the more amazing. His decisions at the line paired with the blinding speed of his weapons mean USC can pull away late.
It's not the ideal course the Trojans had charted before the season, but besting one of the nation's best defenses—paving the way for future teams in the process—is a strong way to end the year.
Prediction: USC 27, Wisconsin 20
Statistics courtesy of ESPN unless otherwise specified. All betting information courtesy of Odds Shark.
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