The granddaddy of them all… and the reason why southern California smells like wine and cheese this New Year’s.
Wisconsin (8-5, 4-4 Big Ten) vs. Stanford (11-2, 8-1 Pac-12)
Tuesday, Jan. 1, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN
The History: “The Grandaddy of Them All.” The Rose Bowl is the oldest of all the bowl games, with the first game being played in 1902. The game then took a break until 1916 and has been played annually since. Traditionally, the Rose Bowl sees the champion of the Big Ten and the Pac-12 square off and this year is no different. USC has made the most appearances in the Rose Bowl with 33. After the Trojans, the teams with the most appearances are: Michigan (20), Washington (14) and Ohio State (14). The game is held in Pasadena, Calif.
Wisconsin Scouting Report: Wisconsin the the first team five-loss team to ever appear in the Rose Bowl. The Badgers made their way to the Big Ten Championship Game by default as both Ohio State and Penn State finished ahead of the Badgers in the Leaders Division, but were ineligible for postseason play. Wisconsin’s Montee Ball is the all-time FBS leader in rushing touchdowns with 76 and is no doubt the key to the Badgers’ offense.
Stanford Scouting Report: Not many people expected Stanford to be in this situation after losing the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft last year in Andrew Luck. But the Cardinal finished the season as Pac-12 champions, with their big victory coming against Oregon back in November. The Cardinal feature a balanced offensive attack, much like they did a season ago, and a solid defense.
tBBC “Expert Selections:
- Tim- Stanford
- Gary- Wisconsin
- WVa- Stanford
- Janelle- Stanford
- Mali- Stanford
- Jason- Wisconsin
- Eric- Stanford
My Selection: On paper, this seems like a great match-up for Wisconsin. If the Badgers had to deal with Oregon in this game, it would be a blowout. But, Stanford and Wisconsin play similar styles of football which will give Wisconsin a chance to hang in the game. In the end, though, Stanford is too much for Wisconsin as the Cardinal defeat the Badgers, 24-16.
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