The No. 6 Wisconsin Badgers (11-1) take on the No. 12 Arkansas Razorbacks (10-3) on New Years Day in a BCS-like match-up in the biggest of the non-BCS bowls, the Capital One Bowl. The game kicks off at 1 p.m. (EST) from the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla., and is televised by ABC (HD).
Arkansas is a football team that thrives on big plays and quick scoring drives and does so behind the running tandem of sophomore running backs Felix Jones and Heisman Trophy runner-up Darren McFadden. Jones and McFadden have combined for more than 2,500 yards on the ground for the Razorbacks.
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Sophomore quarterback Casey Dick will start for Arkansas but freshman Mitch Mustain is expected to get some playing time.
The Razorbacks finished the regular season fourth nationally in rushing at 228.2 yards per game and 23rd in scoring at 30.0 points per game.
Wisconsin is a team that is in the top five nationally in total defense, scoring defense and pass defense; No. 23 nationally in rushing defense; and has limited foes to just 24 plays of 20 yards or longer in 12 games.
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The Badgers might struggle trying to contain the Razorbacks' running game. The Badgers this season haven't faced a team that features two gifted tailbacks and can run out of pro-style or spread formations.
It’s no secret that Wisconsin is loaded with talent and experience. The Badgers have the No. 1 rusher and scorer in the conference in running back P.J. Hill, the No. 2 receiver in Travis Beckum, and the No. 2 quarterback rating in John Stocco.
Their defense is ranked second only to Ohio State in the conference and third in the nation. Let’s not forget to add the Big Ten coach of the year Bret Bielema and that the Badgers are on an eight-game win streak going into the Capital One Bowl.
Hill understands he’s a key component in one of the obvious story lines for the game, pitting two of the best running backs in the nation. While their styles are vastly different, they’ve had almost an identical impact on their respective teams.
The versatile and speedy McFadden, who at times lines up behind center in a shotgun formation, leads the Southeastern Conference with 1,558 rushing yards in 13 games. He rushed for 14 touchdowns, threw for three, and scored two others on a reception and a kickoff return.
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The powerful and brutish Hill leads the Big Ten Conference with 1,533 rushing yards in 12 games. He has rushed for 15 touchdowns and also caught a TD pass.
The higher ranked Badgers who have the better record are not getting much respect from odds makers having installed Arkansas as a -2 ½ point favorite offshore and -1 ½ at most Las Vegas sports books. The total is varied (45 to 45 ½ Las Vegas, -46 offshore) with different offerings depending on the sports book.
