Wisconsin Football: 5 Reasons Badgers Are on Their Way Back to Rose Bowl

The Wisconsin Badgers have won the Leaders Division and are heading to Indy for the Big Ten Championship to compete for a spot in the Rose Bowl.

It is a rematch against the Michigan State Spartans, and the Badgers are seeking revenge for the Hail Mary loss they suffered against the Spartans earlier this season.

It is the two best teams in the conference competing for the ultimate prize—and for what Wisconsin took away from the Spartans last year: a trip to the Rose Bowl.

There are five reasons why the Badgers are already on their way back to their second consecutive Rose Bowl appearance.

Turnovers

On October 22nd, 2011—the last time these two faced each other earlier this season—Wisconsin's offense played better and outgained the Spartans 433 yards to 399 yards. 

The Spartans won because they won the turnover margin.

Their turnovers were a great aid in keeping the Spartans alive and leading them to that win in the final moments of the game.

Wisconsin will be prepared for this.

The Badgers will make sure not to let the same mistakes happen. They won't allow Michigan State's special teams to force any turnovers. Russell Wilson will be more alert and careful in throwing any interceptions.

Michigan State was the better disciplined team in that game. Wisconsin will have to be the better one in this championship game.

Montee Ball

Montee Ball is one of the big reasons why Wisconsin is 10th in the nation in rushing yards.

He is all over the field, and he averages 135.1 yards a game. Ball has rushed for a touchdown or more in every game this season.

Last time against the Spartans, Ball was limited to just 115 yards and one touchdown. The touchdown came off of a fumble from the Spartans' first offensive play of the game on the MSU 25-yard line.

Ball is going to have to truly step up against the Spartans defense if he wants to help the Badgers win.

Defense

Wisconsin is No. 2 in the Big Ten and No. 17 in the nation in total defense. The Spartans defense is slightly better than that, at No. 1 and No. 16.

The Badgers will be facing a second-best Big Ten passing offense, but to them, it's no hard feat. The Badgers are No. 1 in passing defense in the Big Ten. They've limited their opponents to an average of 144.5 yards a game.

However, last time they faced Kirk Cousins, he threw 290 yards and three touchdowns.

Cousins knows his way around the passing defense. Against a team that struggles in the rushing game, if the Badgers can limit the passing yards, the Spartans will have a hard time getting a spark going on the field.

Wisconsin has worked hard in November, limiting its opponents to only 243.5 offensive yards a game, beating Michigan State.

If the Badgers defense's hard work continues, it will limit the Spartans in the upcoming championship game.

Offense

The Badgers offense has put up some amazing numbers this year. 

It ranks fourth in the nation in scoring and 12th in the nation in total offense, first in the Big Ten.

In November alone, it put up 450.3 total offense yards per game. Wisconsin will face a tough Michigan State defense—it's not going to be an easy battle.

Wisconsin's total offense has played better on the road than Michigan State this year. The game will be at a neutral site for both teams, and it'll all come down to who can perform better away from the home crowd.

The Badgers look as if they can pull it off performing offensively.

Eager for Revenge

For the Wisconsin Badgers, the sting of their first loss will still exist as they enter the game on December 3rd.

They still haven't forgotten the loss against the Spartans from a Hail Mary—in a game where a two-touchdown lead was blown by both teams—and it'll be on their minds when they enter Lucas Oil Stadium.

This will be a good rematch game.

Both teams are fighting for the same goal. Wisconsin just might have that extra edge in motivation. The Badgers want to take that win back.

It will all come down to who wants this game the most and who can limit the other better. Wisconsin proves that it has the slight edge in most aspects of the field.

The Badgers smelled the roses last year, and they are close to heading there again.