NCAA Football
2013-01-01 - Wisconsin Badgers at Stanford Cardinal
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States: NCAA Football
Tuesday 1 January 2013 - Kick Off 5pm
10pm (British Time)
Preview
The Rose Bowl is to be contested by the Stanford Cardinal (11-2) and the Big Ten Champions Wisconsin Badgers (8-5), but the California setting is likely going to give Stanford the majority of the support in the stands in this New Year's Day clash.
While the Cardinal have the consistency in the staffing department coming into the game, Wisconsin have seen their Head Coach Bret Bielema leave for Arkansas and that means Barry Alvarez will be taking charge of the team. Alvarez is the AD at Wisconsin these days, but the former Head Coach of the Badgers will be looking to win his fourth Rose Bowl title, which will tie him for most wins at this Bowl Game amongst Big Ten Coaches.
Gary Anderson will be the man that takes over at Wisconsin following this game and moving forward into next season, but he has not been involved in this game. The players at Wisconsin are also keen to play for Barry Alvarez, but this looks a tough ask for them.
The Badgers ran all over the Nebraska Cornhuskers in their Big Ten Championship Game win, but it will be interesting to see how they do against a stout Stanford Defense. While Wisconsin earn 237 yards per game on the ground, the Cardinal have only allowed 88 yards per game this season and that figures to be the big match up in this one.
Wisconsin need to get things going on the ground, otherwise it won't matter who starts at Quarter Back, whether that is Curt Phillips or Joel Stave. The Badgers have not been that efficient at passing the ball and the Quarter Back is playing behind a shaky Offensive Line- that doesn't bode well when considering that Stanford leads the nation in terms of sacks and tackles for loss.
It has been possible to pass the ball on this Stanford Defense, but the pressure up front would be huge if Wisconsin are in third and long situations so the Badgers will live and die by their ground game.
On the other side of the ball, Stanford have a much more balanced Offense than the Wisconsin Badgers, and it does look like they have the better match up against this Defense.
Kevin Hogan is a Freshman playing for them at Quarter Back, but he has been efficient in his play, while the Offensive Line has protected the Quarter Back effectively all season. Hogan's ability to run, as well as Wisconsin's inconsistent pass rush, should allow Stanford to move the chains with their passing game and through the Quarter Back.
It might be a little easier for Hogan if Stepfan Taylor can continue his solid season from the Running Back position. Taylor has helped Stanford reach an average of 173 yards per game on the ground and the Badgers have given up 3.7 yards per clip so he should be able to help keep the chains moving in this one too.
Head to Head
Wisconsin beat Stanford the last time they met back in 2000 and they have a 4-0-1 record against them.
Prediction
I have been going back and forth about this game for a while, but I have decided that I think Stanford will be a little more consistent on the Offensive side of the ball and that will help them cover the spread in this one.
It will likely be close right up until the end of the game, but I just believe the Cardinal will be a little more clutch and that is why I pick them here.
The Pick :
Stanford Cardinal 27-20 Wisconsin Badgers
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back the Stanford Cardinal -5 Points @ 1.95
