Rose Bowl 2012: 5 Ways Wisconsin Can Pull an Upset over Oregon

This year's Rose Bowl is one of the top bowl matchups of the entire bowl season. It features Pac-12 champion Oregon Ducks and the Big Ten champion Wisconsin Badgers. It's expected to be a very high-scoring game and very fun to watch.

Although it may seem even on paper, the Ducks are the favorite to win this game. Even by Vegas odds, they're the favorite as Oregon is favored by five. The Ducks have the more explosive offense and a ton of speed that very few teams can match up with.

Although many people may be picking the Ducks to win the game, the Badgers should not be slept on.

Here are a few things that Wisconsin can do to increase its chances of winning.

Get Montee Ball Going Early

Montee Ball has been the best running back all season long, rushing for over 1,700 yards and 38 total touchdowns. In the last five games he's rushed for 906 yards and 17 total touchdowns. He's just been ridiculous.

Oregon's front seven gives up 137 rushing yards, which is fifth best in the Pac-12 and 46th best in the country.

If Montee Ball can get going early, it will not only make the Oregon defense more honest, but will also set up the play action with Russell Wilson. Running the ball effectively will also eat clock and keep that explosive Oregon offense off the field.

Ball is a key player if Wisconsin wants to win, and he has to play big in this game.

Protect Russell Wilson

The Oregon Ducks are fantastic at getting after the quarterback as they 43 sacks on the season, which is not only the best in the Pac-12, but third best in the country.

Wisconsin has the advantage because its offensive line is full of monsters that are all over 300 pounds and at least 6'6". Oregon's defensive line is a lot smaller as there are only two players on defense that tops out at 300 pounds.

The Badgers have the size advantage and should be able to protect Russell Wilson and create a solid pocket for him to throw out of. This should also open up the running lanes as well for the Badgers running backs.

Continue to Convert in the Red Zone

The Badgers have the second-highest conversion rate when they get in the red zone at 95 percent. Only Stanford has a higher percentage in the country.

We know a lot of points are going to be scored in this game, so the Badgers have to capitalize every chance they get. They score touchdowns 87 percent of the time in the red zone and will have to be somewhere near that percentage if they expect to win this game.

Oregon's defense gives up touchdowns 57 percent of the time in the red zone.

You're not going to beat the Ducks with field goals, so the Badgers have to capitalize on every opportunity.

Contain De'Anthony Thomas

We all know about LaMichael James, but to me De'Anthony Thomas is the X factor in this game.

Not only because he is so fast but because he always makes the big play. The big play is what really changes the momentum of the game and really deflates a defense.

Only in two games this season Thomas has been denied a touchdown. He has several plays of 60 yards, 40-plus and 30-plus this season.

Wisconsin's defense must know where this speedster is at all times and do its best to keep him in check. The Badgers must limit the big plays and make Oregon work for every yard it gets.

Remain Disciplined

When you're the underdog in a big game like this, it's very important that you remain disciplined and don't hurt your team.

Wisconsin has done a great job at avoiding penalties this season as it only averages 40 yards a game, which is 20th best in the country. Oregon, on the other hand, hasn't done so well as they average over seven penalties a game for 65 yards. That's ranked 111th out of 120 teams.

If Wisconsin can stay disciplined, it'll have a great chance at winning this game.

Not to mention the winner of the last three Rose Bowls has had fewer penalty yards than the loser.

Randy Chambers is a B/R Featured Columnist that covers College Football and the NFL. You can contact him @Randy_Chambers or [e-mail]