2011 Rose Bowl, Wisconsin Vs. TCU: The Grandaddy Of Them All Returns To Pasadena

The Granddaddy of Them All is nearly upon us, gentle Internet! The 2011 Rose Bowl is just over a week away, and though the stadium of the same name is not the host of this year's national championship game, the matchup will be one of the most competitive you'll see in a major bowl setting.

The No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs, you know. The last squad standing of a merry band of mid-majors gunning for undefeated glory, the Frogs surmounted No. 24 Oregon State and No. 5 TCU en route to a perfect 12-0 season, and were only seriously challenged by the Beavers in Week 1 and San Diego State in late November.

The No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers "won" the Big Ten, but you'd never know if from the amount of national media attention they've garnered. Perhaps it helps to be Ohio State, whom the Badgers beat 31-18. Also vanquished was No. 15 Iowa, the week after. Their one stumble was a 10-point loss to Michigan State the first week of October.

The 2011 Rose Bowl Game Presented By Vizio kicks off at 5 p.m. EST on Saturday, Jan. 1. The game will be televised on ESPN. Stay tuned to this StoryStream right up through game time, as we review key unit matchups, odds, bowl history and more.