
Rose Bowl: Who Has More Chinks in the Armor, Wisconsin or TCU?
With all the countless bowl games that have invaded the once minimal bowl season, the Rose Bowl game still shines above all others as it is one of the most recognizable and historic bowl games in all of college football.
As the traditional Pac-10-Big 10 matchup will not happen this year to due Oregon's inclusion into the BCS title game, the undefeated TCU Horned Frogs of the Mountain West will replace the Pac-10 representative as the Big 10 will send champion Wisconsin in a game which will surely light up the scoreboard in Pasadena.
Even after one undefeated season and another one loss season, the two teams heading to the Pacific coast will need to sure up any weakness that may have been uncovered by the opposing coaching staff that could help one team walk out of the grand daddy of them all this Saturday night.
With that being said, let’s find out what part of these programs will win the Rose Bowl—
This article is also available on A Blue and Gold State of Mind.
Offensive Rankings
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TCU:
Total Offense: 9th in the nation (491 yards per game)
Passing Offense: 53rd in the nation (230 yards per game)
Rushing Offense: 7th in the nation (261 yards per game)
Points per Game: T-4th in the nation (43 points per game)
Wisconsin:
Total Offense: 18th in the nation (450 yards per game)
Passing Offense: 74th in the nation (202 yards per game)
Rushing Offense: 12th in the nation (247 yards per game)
Points per Game: T-4th in the nation (43 points per game)
When you look at these two teams on paper, the two offenses look to be evenly matched at the running and passing games, with an identical mark at putting points on the board with over 40 points per game in the regular season.
Defensive Rankings
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TCU:
Total Defense: 1st in the nation (215 yards per game)
Rushing Defense: 3rd in the nation (89 yards per game)
Passing Defense: 1st in the nation
Points per Game: 1st in the nation (11 points per game)
Wisconsin:
Total Defense: 22nd in the nation (323 yards per game)
Rushing Defense: T-30th in the nation (131 yards per game)
Passing Defense: 25th in the nation
Points per Game: 29th in the nation (20 points per game)
When looking for chinks in the armor, the biggest hole that could determine the Rose Bowl winner would be the Badgers defense trying to contain the high powered TCU offense led by senior Andy Dalton.
Quarterbacks
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TCU, Andy Dalton – 194-293 Attempts, 2638 Yards, 28 Touchdowns, Six Interceptions
Wisconsin, Scott Tolzien – 182-245 Attempts, 2300 Yards, 32 Touchdowns, 18 Interceptions
With both quarterbacks being prolific passers, the one thing that I see being a game changer is the amount of interceptions that Tolzien has given away. With the solid TCU defense, I see multiple Badger turnovers that could break the game open towards the second half.
Running Backs
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TCU, Ed Wesley – 162 Carries, 1065 Yards, 11 Touchdowns
Wisconsin, James White – 148 Carries, 1029 Yards, 14 Touchdowns
The tandem of John Clay and James White has run over Wisconsin's 2010 schedule of opponents to the tune of nearly 2000 yards combined this year but that game plan will be battered by the speedy top ranked TCU defense.
Receivers & Tight Ends
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TCU, WR Josh Boyce – 33 Catches, 602 Yards, Six Touchdowns
Wisconsin, TE Lance Kendrick – 39 Catches, 627 Yards, Five Touchdowns
The TCU stable of wide-outs in Josh Boyce and Jeremy Kerley will have the ability to make more plays than the Wisconsin stable of wide-outs especially with the expert throwing of senior Andy Dalton during the Rose Bowl.
Defensive Line
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TCU, Wayne Daniels - 33 Total Tackles
Wisconsin, JJ Watt - 59 Total Tackles, Seven Sacks, Interception, Two Forced Fumbles
The TCU and Wisconsin run defenses will need to bring their A-game this Saturday as they try to hold each set of running backs in check, aswell as attempt to put pressure on the two veteran quarterbacks under center.
Linebackers
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TCU, Tank Carder - 55 Total Tackles, Three Sacks, Forced Fumble, Interception
Wisconsin, Mike Taylor - 50 Total Tackles, Sack, Two Interceptions
The emotional leader of the Horned Frogs being Carder will need to sure up the box as James White, John Clay and the imposing Badger running game will need to be held in check.
Defensive Backs
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TCU, Tejay Jackson – 53 Total Tackles, Two Forced Fumbles, Three Interceptions,
Wisconsin, Antonio Fenelus – 53 Total Tackles, Forced Fumble, Four Interceptions
As the two defenses try to contain the other team's offense, the edge will continue to be with the Horned Frogs as their No.1 ranked defense will limit the passing game of the Badgers and Scott Tolzien all game along.
Special Teams
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TCU, Ross Evans – 11-13 Field Goal Attempts
Wisconsin, Phillip Welch – 15-19 Field Goal Attempts
As these two offenses have been juggernauts this season, the role of the kicker will probably not be needed as the game gets into the waning minutes.
Coaching Staff
10 of 10TCU, Gary Patterson – 97-28 in 10 seasons at TCU, Three Conference Titles (1 C-USA, 3 MWC)
Wisconsin, Bret Bielema – 49-15 in five seasons at Wisconsin, One Big Ten Title (2010)
With two great coaches, it's very hard to pick either coach with the success that each have had at their respective schools and will have in the years to come as the Big Ten expands to 12 and the Horned Frogs move to the Big East.
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