Rose Bowl 2012, Wisconsin Vs. Oregon: Badgers And Ducks Offer Power Vs. Speed

Read More: Russell Wilson (QB - Wisconsin), LaMichael James (RB - Oregon), Kenjon Barner (RB - Oregon), Montee Ball (RB - Wisconsin), Wisconsin Badgers, Oregon Ducks

The Wisconsin Badgers and Oregon Ducks meet up in the 2012 Rose Bowl with offenses that are run oriented, but on opposite ends of the spectrum. The Wisconsin Badgers bring a powerful rushing attack behind the mammoth Badgers offensive line and on the legs of running back Montee Ball. The Ducks on the other hand use an up-tempo rushing attack that doesn't allow defenses to rest and focuses on speed and misdirection on the legs of LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner.

"Their offense is very unique in what they do and the speed in what they play in, so it will be a challenge," Wisconsin head coach Bret Bielema said. "Their normal no-huddle is a very fast paced up-tempo, then they have another extremely quick one in which they catch defenses offsides, it's a very difficult situation."

The Rose Bowl is a familiar place for Wisconsin, as they lost in the 2011 version of the game against TCU. "We played the Rose Bowl a year ago, but the 2011 season is its own journey within itself," said coach Bret Bielema. This year was expected to be a special one for the Badgers after landing quarterback Russell Wilson and it nearly was. Wisconsin's losses in 2011 both came at the end of the game on Hail Mary's. They'll look to not let another close game fall between the cracks against the Ducks.

As mentioned, Oregon's offense runs through James, who's rushed the ball for over 1,400 yards despite missing two games with an elbow injury. The Oregon defense knows it can't just ride the offense however, and they'll need to make some plays in order to beat the Badgers, slowing down their traditional power offense. "They've got a lot of weapons, not just that big, strong offensive line," Oregon head coach Chip Kelly said. "I'm a big fan of Russell at North Carolina State, and then what he did in his only year at Wisconsin. You're probably going against the best quarterback-running back combination in college football."

For more on this year's matchup be sure to head over to SB Nation's Wisconsin blog Bucky's Fifth Quarter, and Oregon blog Addicted To Quack. For more on each bowl game pairing, check out SB Nation's college football bowl game coverage.