SATURDAY
No. 3 TCU (12-0) vs. No. 4 Wisconsin (11-1), 5 p.m. (ESPN)
Line: TCU by 3.
Series Record: Tied 0-0-1.
Last Meeting: Tied 14-14 in Madison, Sept. 26, 1970
WHAT’S AT STAKE
TCU was the third wheel at the BCS title dance, but still can complete an unbeaten season in the school’s first Rose Bowl appearance as the first back-to-back BCS busters. Wisconsin returns to Pasadena for the first time since the 2000 game after winning a share of the Big Ten title, with Bret Bielema hoping to join Barry Alvarez as the Badgers’ only Rose Bowl-winning coaches.
KEY MATCHUP
Wisconsin’s mammoth offensive line likely is the nation’s best, with every starter weighing in at over 300 pounds. Led by Outland Trophy-winning LT Gabe Carimi, the Badgers cleared the way for their three primary tailbacks to rush for at least 850 yards apiece. TCU’s defense doesn’t have the Badgers’ size, but coordinator Dick Bumpas’ group led the nation in several categories, including points allowed and total defense, while dominating the Mountain West.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Wisconsin: DE J.J. Watt is among the nation’s most decorated defensive players, making seven sacks and 21 tackles for loss while repeatedly coming up with huge defensive plays down the stretch during the Badgers’ seven straight victories. He blocked an extra point attempt that turned out to be the difference in a one-point win at Iowa. He claims he hasn’t thought about declaring early for the NFL draft, but the Rose Bowl could be his Wisconsin finale.
TCU: QB Andy Dalton wraps up his prolific career looking for his 42nd victory as the Horned Frogs’ four-year starter. Although he considers himself a mere game manager, Dalton has thrown a TD pass in 20 straight games while establishing several school and conference career passing records. He has passed for 20 touchdowns with just two interceptions in TCU’s last seven games.
FACTS & FIGURES
Wisconsin and TCU each scored 520 points this season. … Wisconsin QB Scott Tolzien beat out Dalton for the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award, given to the nation’s top senior passer. It’s the first major QB award won by a Badgers signal-caller. … The Badgers are making their ninth straight bowl appearance. TCU is in a bowl for the 12th time in 13 seasons. … TCU has won 15 of its last 18 games against teams from the six BCS conferences. … The Frogs haven’t played on Jan. 1 since the 1959 Cotton Bowl, a scoreless tie with Air Force. … Dalton has won two bowl game MVP awards in the 2007 Texas Bowl and the 2008 Poinsettia Bowl.
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