Rose Bowl 2012: Oregon Ducks Are Receiving Plenty of Early Action in Las Vegas

The Oregon Ducks (11-2) and Wisconsin Badgers (11-2) will meet up in the 2012 Rose Bowl on Jan. 2, 2012, in Pasadena, Calif., with early action expecting the Pac-12 Conference champions to hand the Big Ten Conference champions a second consecutive loss in the event.

Las Vegas oddsmakers established the Ducks as 4.5-point neutral-site favorites, which was originally bet down a half-point before a wave of money drove the price up to six in most spots around town.

Oregon has a lot of speed at its disposal offensively, causing Wisconsin much concern even with this marquee game being contested on a natural grass surface. 

The Ducks handed a similar Stanford Cardinal team a 53-30 loss as 2.5-point road underdogs on Nov. 12, serving as the only game they played when getting points all season.

Many college football experts have forgotten that Chip Kelly's squad was actually favored by three points over the LSU Tigers in its 40-27 season-opening loss inside Cowboys Stadium.

Professional bettors haven't forgotten that the Ducks actually out-gained the Tigers by 63 yards in that affair despite losing the ground battle by more than 80 yards.

Wisconsin offers value in "The Granddaddy of Them All" for a second consecutive year, dropping a 21-19 affair against the TCU Horned Frogs as 3.5-point underdogs a year ago.

The Badgers have been favored by at least seven points in every game this season, joining three other BCS bowl participants (Alabama, Stanford, Virginia Tech) that will likely kick off as underdogs for the first time.

Contrasting styles often make great bowl games, and the Ducks defense will have its hands full with the power running game of the Badgers and running back Montee Ball.