Rose Bowl 2012: 5 Things Wisconsin Must Do to Upset Oregon

The Ducks handily put away UCLA in the inaugural Pac-12 Championship. The Badgers redeemed themselves in the inaugural Big Ten Championship over Michigan State. Both are now heading to the most famous BCS Bowl in the country, the Rose Bowl.

Played in Pasadena, California, both squads will have to travel a bit of a ways to make this superb matchup happen, but it will be more than worth it for the fans. These two 11-2 teams meet for a highlight game in what will be an extremely exciting college football postseason.

Wisconsin is on a return trip after visiting last season in a loss to Texas Christian University. Oregon would have been their contender except the Ducks were a little busy playing for the National Title last year. Two exciting offenses and two potent defenses match up for a game of the decade.

However, the Badgers already have multiple doubters as they head to Pasadena. So what can these Wisconsinites do to shut down their critics and restart their believers?

Let's take a look at five things Wisconsin has to do in order to have any chance to upset Oregon.

Montee Ball Must Show Up

Montee Ball has been an explosive running back for the Badgers this season. He was seemingly all power last year, but as Wisconsin started towards perfection early on, it was easy to see his change to speed. 

His quickness, agility, and acceleration has dramatically improved over the last few months and his performance against Michigan State for the Big Ten title was sublime. Against Oregon, he must again make the plays necessary to secure the legitimacy of the play action pass and help protect Wilson when required.

Ball showing up all throughout the Rose Bowl will be game-chaging for both sides.

Stop Oregon's Dynamic Duo

The loaded Oregon offense has only really been stopped by LSU this season. In the annual opener, the now No. 1 ranked Tigers took on the Ducks in Cowboys Stadium and held them and their explosive offense down.

If the Badgers want to have any shot at winning this game, a full analysis and conclusion of RB LaMichael James and QB Darron Thomas is a necessity. They are more than too dangerous to be ignored or overlooked, and this excellent Badger defense knows how to play ball.

Avoid Turnovers

This goes pretty much without saying for any football team, but for a big time win the Badgers will need big time offensive perfection in the Rose Bowl. No offense is perfect, but for a defense that's addicted to takeaways, keeping that drug unavailable will lower morale.

This also applies to the defense as it is their job to take the ball away from the opposing offense. Creating turnovers will be huge in securing the win in Pasadena. 

Must Attack Oregon Defense

The only two squads who defeated the Ducks this season went after Oregon's defense aggressively. LSU and USC both had big showings on offense against a defense that can be smothering.

Wisconsin's powerful offense can't be timid. Their power running and great passing games are both weapons the Badgers will need to attack the defense on a consistent basis. 

Russell Wilson Must Perform

QB Russell Wilson has had a tough season, dropping out of the Heisman hopefuls early on due to the luck of Michigan State. Since the Ohio State game, however, Wilson has more than found a way to get himself back on the track to success. 

His strong arm and great decision-making skills are an invaluable asset against a squad like Oregon's. His utilization of his teammates and their strengths will be the deciding factor in the Rose Bowl this season.