Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO: No. 3 Texas Christian Horned Frogs (12-0) vs. No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers (11-1)

Date: Saturday, January 1st, 2011

Location: Pasadena, California

Time: 5:00 p.m. EST

Following the Gator Bowl on New Year’s Day is the Rose Bowl between Texas Christian and Wisconsin. This game is usually the Pac-10 vs. the Big Ten, but Oregon is in the BCS Championship so TCU got the call. The Horned Frogs are one of just three unbeaten teams in the country. Their closest game came was a 40-35 win over San Diego State, but the other 11 were double-digit wins. Needless to say, TCU is moving up to the Big East in 2012 after one more season in the Mountain West. The Horned Frogs have the best defense in the country, allowing just 11.4 points  and 215.4 total yards per game.

Wisconsin is on a roll and scored 70 points or more in three games this season. The lone loss came against Michigan State. The offense scores 43.3 points per game and is led by senior quarterback Scott Tolzien, who passed for 2,300 yards and 16 touchdowns. The rushing attack of sophomore Montee Ball, junior John Clay and freshman James White combined for almost 3,000 yards.

My Pick: Though TCU deserves more respect as an unbeaten team, I’m betting that Wisconsin will be too much in this one. The Badgers have won their last three Rose Bowl games so I’m backing them to win 27-21.

Money Line (odds provided by Party Bets)

Texas Christian: 4/6

Wisconsin: 5/4

Point Spread: Texas Christian -3

Over/Under: 58.5