For the second-consecutive year, the National University Holiday Bowl will be showcasing a battle between the Pac-12 and the Big Ten. It will be the No.25 USC Trojans taking on the Wisconsin Badgers at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. Expect this matchup to go straight down the wire as the Trojans’ loaded offense will try to impose their will against the nation-leading defense of the Badgers.
Who will reign supreme in this 38th edition of the Holiday Bowl? Will the Trojans make it seven-straight wins over Wisconsin? Or will the Badgers be the one going home with a smile at the end? Read on below for a detailed preview of this intriguing clash.
If you want occupy yourself with some more bowl action, checkout our comprehensive breakdown of NC State vs. Mississippi in the Belk Bowl.
[sc:NCAAFArticles ]National Funding Holiday Bowl Preview
Where: Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego, California
When: Wednesday, December 30, 10:30 PM ET
Line: USC Trojans (-3) at Wisconsin Badgers (+3); total: 50.5 – view all NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on the USC Trojans (8-5, 6-3 Pac-12)
After the shocking dismissal of head coach Steve Sarkisian a few months back, the USC Trojans seemed to be going on a downward spiral from that point on. But fortunately, they were somehow rescued by former-interim and now full-time head coach, Clay Helton, who found a way to put some stability to the program and eventually lead them to a Pac-12 Championship date with the Stanford Cardinal.
[sc:NCAA240banner ]In that conference title game though, the Trojans were drubbed with the final score of 41-22. That gut-wrenching setback is basically the reason why they’re headed to San Diego for a battle with the Wisconsin Badgers rather than playing at the renowned Rose Bowl at Pasadena this holiday season.
Nevertheless, the No. 25 Trojans will look to unleash their fury and also provide their new coach in Helton his first bowl game win at the expense of the Badgers. In order to do so, USC ought to remain loyal to their most lethal weapon—the passing game.
That being said, the onus is on Cody Kessler, who has thrown for 3,315 yards with 28 scores and a completion rate of 67.6 percent this year, to be as focused and as accurate as ever while also keeping a close eye on his most talented wide receiver in JuJu Smith-Schuster all game long.
Smith-Schuster, the Pac-12’s leading receiver, has hauled in 85 catches for 1,389 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. He might have his work cut out for him, however, opposite a Badgers secondary that only allows 168.9 passing yards per contest, which is currently the fifth-lowest in the nation.
Meanwhile, Kessler could always turn to their ground attack—through Ronald Jones II—especially if things don’t turn out well with their passing plays. Jones II has rumbled for a team-best of 940 yards with eight scores and is averaging 6.5 yards per carry in his rookie season.
USC is 9-3 ATS in its last 12 versus Big Ten teams and is 5-2 ATS in its previous seven bowl games.
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Betting on the Wisconsin Badgers (9-3, 6-2 Big Ten)
Despite a respectable overall record of 9-3, the Wisconsin Badgers still have a lot of work to do in turning themselves into legitimate title contenders. They’ve beaten all the teams they should beat, but have failed to win against teams with a winning record—like Alabama, Iowa and Northwestern—this season. The Badgers will have one more chance to finally get one when they collide with the No. 25 USC Trojans for the Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium.
Key to their success will heavily depend on their nation-leading defense which allows just 13.1 points per game. Joe Schobert, the Big Ten’s linebacker of the year, has been the leader of that unit as he has garnered 18.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks in his senior campaign. He’s also tied the school’s single-season record for forced fumbles with five under his belt.
Furthermore, cornerback Michael Caputo, who has 58 total tackles (31 solo and 27 assists) and a pair of interceptions this year, has been a nightmare matchup for opposing outside receivers. His speed, and strength or just his presence alone makes Wisconsin’s secondary extremely solid.
Defense alone, though, will surely not be enough to give the Badgers a win. Their offense, which averages 377.3 yards of total offense and 27.1 points per game, needs to come alive. That said, QB Joel Stave needs to have a strong outing in this one and he’ll have his pair of wideouts in Alex Erickson and the returning Robert Wheelwright to help him do so.
Erickson and Wheelwright have combined for 1,293 receiving yards along with seven touchdowns this season. Both should somehow be able to make their presences felt versus a USC defense that’s allowing 25.9 points and 253.8 passing yards per game.
Also, there’s still Dare Ogunbowale, who the Badgers will certainly look to on the ground. The junior running back will be entering this matchup with some serious momentum on his side. Ogunbowale carried the ball 33 times for a career-high of 155 yards and a score during the regular-season finale against Minnesota.
Wisconsin is 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS in its previous five games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Wisconsin’s (+3) offense struggles but their defense helps them keep up with USC to eventually capture the thrilling 30-27 victory.
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