Bowl Projections: Oregon Will Beat Wisconsin in Rose Bowl Shootout

The 2012 Rose Bowl will be an absolute shootout between Oregon and Wisconsin, but I think the Ducks will eventually prevail.

On paper, this is a perfectly even matchup.

Both teams are 11-2. Both have two wins over ranked opponents. And both have dangerous offenses capable of lighting up the scoreboard.

The Ducks are the third-highest scoring team in college football, putting up a ridiculous 46.2 points per game.

The Badgers are right behind, averaging 44.6. 

Both teams also have Heisman-caliber players at the quarterback and running back positions.

Oregon's Darron Thomas has thrown for 2,493 yards, 30 touchdowns and just six interceptions this season. He added 205 yards and three more scores on the ground.

His partner in the backfield, LaMichael James, is in the top 10 in the nation in rushing yards (1,646) and touchdowns (17).

Despite his success, James' numbers pale in comparison to those of Wisconsin running back Montee Ball. The junior tailback leads the country with with 1,759 rushing yards and an absurd 32 touchdowns.

His teammate Russell Wilson has been equally impressive.

The senior has the second-highest quarterback rating in college football thanks to his incredible efficiency. He's accounted for 36 total touchdowns while throwing just three interceptions.

But although they have the more impressive numbers, I don't think Wilson and Ball will be able to keep up with the high-flying Ducks.

Oregon dropped 27 points on the vicious LSU defense and held Stanford's potent offense to just 30 points.

The Badgers can outscore just about anybody, but Oregon is on a different level.

Wisconsin will have some success, but they will be eventually be overwhelmed by Oregon's weapons.

Prediction: Oregon 48, Wisconsin 34