USC’s season had many highs and lows. Wisconsin’s season was effective, but dull. The final game on this day will require some serious thought.
USC’s story: Losses mid-season to Washington and Notre Dame, coupled with erratic behavior from Steve Sarkisian led to a coaching change. USC responded well after that but both Oregon and Stanford proved they were a cut above the Trojans. USC’s top two RB’s are tough to stop. QB Kessler is a highly accurate passer but something is missing from his game. Lead WR Smith is elite and won’t be easily stopped. The run defense was average but they faced some very powerful teams. The pass defense was unusually high at over 63%. They get a break in facing an average QB in this one but most teams passed over their average vs. this defense. Turnovers were at +12. The sack ratio was 37-35.
Wisconsin’s story: The Badgers were able to keep their fine defensive coordinator and it sure showed up in the stats. Eight times they allowed 13 or fewer points. The offenses they faced did pale in comparison to what USC faced but still, the stat sheet showed a 13 point defense, 3.55 run defense, and 48.6% pass defense. USC’s QB will easily be the best they will face. For the year they allowed only six passing TD’s. QB Stave is the ultimate game manager. His pass % increased (60.4%) but the TD to interception ratio was below standard at 10-11. With lead RB Clement out much of the season, the run game took a nosedive by their lofty standards. They ran 6-9-291 in ’13 and 7.0-320 in ’14. This year they ran 4.15-162! Thanks to their defense, time of possession was +7:08. The sack ratio was 26-24.
Special Teams: USC’s kicker is hurt and may not play. He would normally get the edge in this matchup. Both teams do not kick deep.
The situations: Injuries and motivation, as usual in bowl games. USC WR Smith is healthy. The kicker we don’t yet know. Good Badger WR Wheelwright might return. RB Clement might try to go. How effective can he be?
Game keys: Wisky could have their hands full defensively with this huge step up in class, facing a team with true run-pass balance. In their favor is a strong pass rush. USC will have that same pass rush advantage should the Badgers have trouble running the ball. I was hoping to like/love Wisconsin, but where is that signature win? They beat bowl teams Minnesota and Nebraska, but both teams finished 5-7! USC appears vulnerable to the run AND the pass, but owns wins over Utah and UCLA, two teams I have rated higher than Wisconsin. I’ll lean Wisconsin, but to win this game they must contain USC’s superstars on offense and move the ball against a good, but hardly great USC defense, avoiding sacks!
Courtesy of WagerTalk News
USC’s story: Losses mid-season to Washington and Notre Dame, coupled with erratic behavior from Steve Sarkisian led to a coaching change. USC responded well after that but both Oregon and Stanford proved they were a cut above the Trojans. USC’s top two RB’s are tough to stop. QB Kessler is a highly accurate passer but something is missing from his game. Lead WR Smith is elite and won’t be easily stopped. The run defense was average but they faced some very powerful teams. The pass defense was unusually high at over 63%. They get a break in facing an average QB in this one but most teams passed over their average vs. this defense. Turnovers were at +12. The sack ratio was 37-35.
Wisconsin’s story: The Badgers were able to keep their fine defensive coordinator and it sure showed up in the stats. Eight times they allowed 13 or fewer points. The offenses they faced did pale in comparison to what USC faced but still, the stat sheet showed a 13 point defense, 3.55 run defense, and 48.6% pass defense. USC’s QB will easily be the best they will face. For the year they allowed only six passing TD’s. QB Stave is the ultimate game manager. His pass % increased (60.4%) but the TD to interception ratio was below standard at 10-11. With lead RB Clement out much of the season, the run game took a nosedive by their lofty standards. They ran 6-9-291 in ’13 and 7.0-320 in ’14. This year they ran 4.15-162! Thanks to their defense, time of possession was +7:08. The sack ratio was 26-24.
Special Teams: USC’s kicker is hurt and may not play. He would normally get the edge in this matchup. Both teams do not kick deep.
The situations: Injuries and motivation, as usual in bowl games. USC WR Smith is healthy. The kicker we don’t yet know. Good Badger WR Wheelwright might return. RB Clement might try to go. How effective can he be?
Game keys: Wisky could have their hands full defensively with this huge step up in class, facing a team with true run-pass balance. In their favor is a strong pass rush. USC will have that same pass rush advantage should the Badgers have trouble running the ball. I was hoping to like/love Wisconsin, but where is that signature win? They beat bowl teams Minnesota and Nebraska, but both teams finished 5-7! USC appears vulnerable to the run AND the pass, but owns wins over Utah and UCLA, two teams I have rated higher than Wisconsin. I’ll lean Wisconsin, but to win this game they must contain USC’s superstars on offense and move the ball against a good, but hardly great USC defense, avoiding sacks!
Courtesy of WagerTalk News
