BCS bowl action finally gets underway tonight when Big Ten Champion Wisconsin squares off against Pac 12 victor Oregon in the 2012 Rose Bowl. This evening’s game, which is scheduled for a 5:00pm ET at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California (ESPN), features the Ducks as a -5 against the spread favorite. Before making your 2011 College Football Picks on tonight’s game get the latest Wisconsin vs Oregon Spread available now.
When Wisconsin brought in former North Carolina State quarterback Russell Wilson many felt the standout performer would push the Badgers to the top of the Big Ten standings. Those who espoused that opinion were proven correct as Wilson added another dimension to Wisconsin’s run oriented offense.
The Badgers ranked fifth in the nation in scoring, averaging 44.6 points per game and Wilson proved to be one of the nation’s top signal callers with an FBS best 191.6 passer rating. Wilson, who threw 31 touchdowns to three interceptions in leading Wisconsin to an 11-2 record and Big Ten Championship, also rushed for 320 yards and five scores on 73 attempts.
Wisconsin’s defense also showed itself one of the nation’s best, ranking behind just seven schools in yards per game allowed (292.8) and five schools in points per game allowed (17).
Despite the high level of play from the Badgers on both sides of the ball, most feel today’s game is Oregon’s to lose. The Ducks, which opened the year with a neutral site loss to No. 1 LSU, finished the season with an 11-2 record and a Pac 12 title.
Chip Kelly’s crew plays well on defense (limited opponents to a respectable 23.6 points per game average), but it is the Ducks offense that creates nightmares for opposing teams and coaches. Oregon ranked third in the nation in scoring with a 46.2 points per game average and it features two of the more dynamic playmakers in the FBS in quarterback Darron Thomas and running back LaMichael James.
Thomas threw for 30 touchdowns and six interceptions during the regular season while James led the nation with a 149.6 rush yards per game average. James, who averaged a career best 7.4 yards per rush this season, also scored 17 rushing touchdowns.
Last year Wisconsin fell 19-21 to TCU in a defensive struggle at the Rose Bowl, but this year’s contest figures to feature far more fireworks with Wilson and the Ducks on hand. Obviously the odds makers feel the Badgers will have difficulty keeping up for four quarters, but if there is really a gap between these two teams, it is miniscule at best.
College Football Picks Bowl Record – 11 wins 8 losses 0 push.
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Wisconsin vs Oregon 2012 Rose Bowl Game Point Spreads: Provided by JustBet.cx
Wisconsin Badgers +5 (-110), Over 73 (-110), +172 (Moneyline)
Oregon Ducks -5 (-110), Under 73 (-110), -205 (Moneyline)
