The Rose Bowl: Wisconsin vs. TCU

At gunpoint, the Rose Bowl accepted a representative from the great unwashed. Texas Christian University will appear on college football’s most prestigious stage. Hitler was still in power the last time a school with such a plebeian pedigree was permitted to grace this field on New Year’s Day. It’s a great day for equality, though the matchup it created is less than ideal.

TCU has a lithe, fast defense with complex blitz packages. Gary Patterson’s unit is tailored to combat the great spread offenses. Instead they face Wisconsin, a team running the anti-spread. Wisconsin will compress the field as much as possible and press home their physical advantage. It is a clash of forces, but power will always trump speed on a compact field.

For Wisconsin to Win: Press home their advantage on both lines of scrimmage. The Badgers will suffocate the ball, limiting TCU’s possessions and keeping them from developing a rhythm. They need to be sure to cut off Andy Dalton’s underneath routes and be sound on special teams.

For TCU to Win: They must contain the run and force Tolzien into passing downs. Wisconsin will hand the ball off repeatedly behind Gabe Carimi until TCU stops it. They don’t appear situated to do so.

Prediction: TCU will circle the wagons, and play with a chip on their shoulder. Wisconsin will still win comfortably and without mercy.