The 2011 Rose Bowl figures to be one of the best of all the bowl games, which is understandable since the game is only one of two (along with the national championship game) bowl games featuring two teams ranked in the BCS top five. The No. 3 TCU Horned Frogs and No. 5 Wisconsin Badgers are two of the top offenses in the nation, but this game might be decided on the defensive end. Here is a look at the Rose Bowl matchup, by the numbers:
Record: TCU (12-0, 8-0 in Mountain West), Wisconsin (11-1, 7-1 in Big Ten)
Strength of Schedule: Wisconsin 71st; TCU 80th per Sagarin ratings
Points scored per game: Both tied for 4th in nation, Wisconsin and TCU (43.3 points per game)
Total yards per game: TCU (491.5, 9th); Wisconsin (450.2, 17th)
Rushing yards per game: TCU (261.2, 8th); Wisconsin (247.3, 12th)
Points allowed per game: TCU (11.4, 1st); Wisconsin (20.5, t-29th)
Total yards allowed per game: TCU (215.4, 1st); Wisconsin (323.5, 22nd)
Passing yards allowed per game: TCU (126.3, 1st); Wisconsin (191.8, 26th)
Rushing yards allowed per game: TCU (89.2, 3rd); Wisconsin (131.7, t-30th)
Both teams rely on a strong rushing attack, but TCU's defense has been shutting down opponents all year long. It might be easy to discount their accomplishments because they play in the Mountain West, but that argument doesn't hold water when both teams had poor schedule strengths. Expect a great matchup against two high-powered teams on Saturday in Pasadena.
The 2010 Rose Bowl kicks off at 5 p.m. EST, Thursday, Dec. 30. The game will be televised on ESPN. For a complete list of bowls, browse SB Nation's 2010 college football postseason schedule.