ROSE BOWL (5 pm, ESPN)
In a traditional battle of Big 10 champions versus Pac 12 champions, Wisconsin's Russell Wilson and Heisman Finalist Montee Ball will face off against the high powered, high paced attack of Oregon's Darron Thomas and LaMichael James. Ball is only one TD away from tying the single season touchdown mark of 39 set by the legendary Barry Sanders of Oklahoma State, and has at least 2 touchdowns in every game this season. Wisconsin will need to lean on Ball and their power running attack to control the ground game in order to allow their defense to stay off the field and be well rested to keep up with Oregon's fast paced attack. With Oregon's defense being a bit undersized, it is not out of the realm of possibility.
When Oregon has the ball, the Badger's defense could be run right off the field. The Ducks will use Darron Thomas' and LaMichael James' speed to wear down the Badgers' Defense. They don't often huddle, and take great pride in having the fastest team in the country. Oregon has a faster pace then anyone Wisconsin has seen all year by a lot, and have the weapons to be able to wear down an underrated defense.
When Oregon has the ball, the Badger's defense could be run right off the field. The Ducks will use Darron Thomas' and LaMichael James' speed to wear down the Badgers' Defense. They don't often huddle, and take great pride in having the fastest team in the country. Oregon has a faster pace then anyone Wisconsin has seen all year by a lot, and have the weapons to be able to wear down an underrated defense.
This game will be a battle of offenses, but a defense will win the game for its team. The pace will be phenomenal. If you like offense, you will like this game.
Prediction- Oregon 42, Wisconsin 28
FIESTA BOWL (8pm, ESPN)
Likely #1 overall pick Andrew Luck will quarterback Stanford for the last time tonight against Oklahoma State's high powered offense, led by Senior QB Brandon Weeden and Junior WR Justin Blackmon, another likely high first round draft pick. The Cardinal (11-1) had their only loss at the hands of Pac 12 champion Oregon, while the Cowboys were kept out of their title game due only to their upset loss to Kansas State, who finished second in the Big 12 to OSU (editors' note- Oklahoma State's loss was to Iowa State, not Kansas State, my bad).
When the Cardinal are on offense, expect Andrew Luck and a strong ground game to pick apart a Cowboy defense ranked 107th in the country in total defense. However, OSU's defense is not a pushover- they lead the nation with 42 turnovers. However, the Cardinal have turned the ball over only 15 times all year. Something will have to give, and if the Cardinal are in the game, expect it to be because their offense has held onto the ball.
When Oklahoma State is on offense, look for Brandon Weeden to air it out in his last game. The senior has over 4000 yards passing and 34 touchdown. Justin Blackmon will also likely be playing in his last game, and expect another big game from him. He has 1336 yards and 15 touchdowns, and is a big time playmaker. Stanford's defense will need to shut down the air attack to win this game.
Oklahoma State's only loss came on the heels of a school tragedy, with OSU's woman's basketball team losing two coaches in a plane crash that afternoon. Aside from that the Cowboys have been amazing. But Andrew Luck will not want to head to the NFL with the taste of a big loss to end his college career. Expect another game with lots of offense.
Prediction- Oklahoma State 41, Stanford 38
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