Wisconsin Vs. TCU: 2011 Rose Bowl TV Time & Predictions

The 2011 Rose Bowl game between the Wisconsin Badgers and TCU Horned Frogs is scheduled for January 1st (5:00 PM EST) at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena. ESPN will broadcast the game. Wisconsin is #5 in the BCS standings with a record of 11-1; TCU ranks third in the BCS, with a perfect 12-0 record. This article provides TV time and predictions for the 2011 Rose Bowl game between Wisconsin and TCU.

1) Wisconsin-TCU Head to Head

Saturday's Rose Bowl features two of the season's best college football teams in the Wisconsin Badgers and TCU Horned Frogs. Both teams, with their terrific regular-season records, have a legitimate claim to a national title though the BCS certainly does not agree. This contest will only be the second meeting between the two teams. Interestingly, their only meeting to date resulted in a 14-14 tie. Wisconsin and TCU will look to create new history at the 2011 Rose Bowl.

2) Scott Tolzien vs. Andy Dalton

New Years Day's most important football game pits two senior quarterbacks against one another. In terms of wins and passing statistics, both QBs have enjoyed an excellent year. For the season, Wisconsin's Tolzien has accumulated 2300 yards, 16 TDs, and a tremendous QB rating of 170. TCU's Dalton has been even more impressive, raking up 2638 passing yards, 26 TDs, and a QB rating of 167. Obviously, we can't put too much weight on these numbers as each QB has faced teams with varying skills. But one thing is for sure. The two quarterbacks are quality players, who play important roles in their teams.

3) Bret Bielema vs. Gary Patterson

The Wisconsin Badgers and TCU Horned Frogs come into the 2011 Rose Bowl with a slight chance of winning a national title. Quantitatively, the two teams can't surpass either Auburn or Oregon for the BCS title. However, a strong victory coupled with sloppy performances by the Tigers and Ducks in the BCS championship game could help one of the two teams making up some ground in the AP and Coaches Polls. The ultimate mission for each team is to beat the other team in a convincing fashion.

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If the Wisconsin Badgers are to win the 2011 Rose Bowl, the team will need another dominant performance by its offensive unit. Wisconsin has one of the best offenses in college football, placing 4th in points scored. Bret Bielema's team has managed to achieve this mostly with its running game. The Badgers rank 4th overall in rushing, compared to a 74th position in passing yards. On the defensive front, Bielema's crew is solid but unspectacular, placing 29th in points allowed. Wisconsin has performed well against other top teams this season, punctuated with wins over Ohio State, Iowa, and Michigan.

TCU has been college football's best all-round team this season. The Horned Frogs is terrific at both ends of the field. TCU is the top defensive team in the country, having allowed only 11.4 points a game. More impressively, Gary Patterson's team has limited its opponent to 10 points or less eight times this season including 2 shutouts. On the offensive end, the team is just as formidable. Patterson's crew ranks 4th in college football in points scored, averaging over 40 points a game.

The one remaining question mark for TCU is how competitive it will be against big-time teams from outside the MWC. This is in spite of the fact that the Horned Frogs have beaten strong teams like Utah, San Diego State, and Air Force in rather dominant fashion. Ultimately, TCU should still win this game but the scoreline will be hard to predict.

My prediction for the 2011 Rose Bowl college football game between the Wisconsin Badgers and TCU Horned Frogs: TCU wins a close contest, but will not earn a share of the national title. Kickoff time for the game is 5:00 PM EST. ESPN will broadcast the much anticipated contest.

Reference:
ESPN.COM