The 2012 Rose Bowl game is almost set. We already know that the Oregon Ducks will be in Pasadena on January 2, thanks to their 49-31 victory over the UCLA Bruins Friday night in the Pac-12 Football Championship Game. We find out Oregon's opponent on Saturday night, as the Wisconsin Badgers battle the Michigan St. Spartans in the inaugural Big Ten Championship game.
The Badgers are heavy favorites to beat the Spartans on Saturday night, favored by between 9.5 and 10 points, per Odds Shark. Michigan State already beat Wisconsin earlier this year, but that was a home game for the Spartans in East Lansing, and they won 37-31 in a wacky game that ended on a last-second Hail Mary.
The Big Ten Championship Game will be held at a neutral site, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson could set a record for most consecutive games with a touchdown pass (37) should he throw on on Saturday night. Wilson and tailback Montee Ball form a dynamic duo in the backfield, propelling the Badgers' offense to a Big Ten-best 44.8 points per game. Ball has scored 34 touchdowns on the season, five behind the FBS record set by Barry Sanders in 1988.
Should Wisconsin win on Saturday night, they would make their second consecutive Rose Bowl and eighth overall. Michigan State is vying for their fifth Rose Bowl trip, and their first since 1988.
The 2012 Rose Bowl Game will be played on Monday, January 2, 2012 in Pasadena. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. PDT. The game will be televised by ESPN, with Brent Musberger, Kirk Hirbstreit, and Lisa Salters on the call. Stay tuned for more updates as the game approaches.