BCS Predictions: Wisconsin's Montee Ball Will Increase Draft Stock in Rose Bowl

Wisconsin’s punishing running back Montee Ball has been on a tear over his last five games. This has led to New York City as a finalist for this year’s Heisman Trophy and Ball considering the 2012 NFL draft. 

At this year’s Rose Bowl, Ball will have a performance where scouts push their teams to take him in the first round of the draft.  

According to a tweet from Bleacher Report’s lead NFL writer and NFL draft scout, Matt Miller, Ball will go pro only if the advisory board tells him that he will go in the first two rounds.  

This means that there are still chances that Montee returns for his senior year in 2012 at Wisconsin.  

However, according to AOL.Sportingnews.com’s Russ Lande, Ball has moved into the late part of the first round after his four-touchdown game against Michigan State.  

"

Ball, who many believe is leaning toward coming out early, made a statement by leading Wisconsin to a Big Ten championship game victory over Michigan State. Ball has 27 carries for 137 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the Badgers' 42-39 win. 

"

This year’s Rose Bowl will see Montee continue his excellent play.  

Against the rush, Oregon ranked in the middle of the pack in the Pac-12. They only allowed 12 touchdowns on the year, but they allowed an alarmingly high 103 first downs to running backs.  

For the year, the Ducks allowed 1,787 rushing yards, which breaks down to 137 yards per game.  

Going against someone like Ball, who rushed for 1,759 yards, averaging 135 yards per game, is something this Ducks team has not seen all year in the Pac-12. The best running back from the Pac-12 that Oregon saw this year was Washington’s Chris Polk. However, Polk only rushed for 1,341 yards, averaging 112 yards per game. 

At the Rose Bowl, Ball will have a start like the way he opened up the Big Ten Championship game. There, he went off 105 yards in the first quarter with two touchdowns.  

Ball will see his draft stock skyrocket from possible late-first-round draft pick to definite first-round draft pick. He will leave Wisconsin for a team like the Green Bay Packers, who could use his punishing style of running. 

Follow @tjmcaloon