Holiday Bowl Preview: USC vs. Wisconsin
Two very distinct styles, perceptions as well as historic outlook for this years Holiday Bowl. While the Trojans are your flashy, speedy, marquee program, you have your Wisconsin Badgers as your simple but effective, “boring” type football program. An intriguing matchup of teams in many different ways. Let’s take a look at the preview of his Pac 12/Big Ten matchup.
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Why USC May Win
Hidden within a five loss, controversial season for USC is solid overall play for QB Cody Kessler (67% comp., 3,315 yards, 28 TDs, six INTs). Although Kessler has “cooled” off as of late, he started off the season with three or more touchdowns in the first four games including five scoring tosses against Arizona State. Picking his favorite target is easy in WR JuJu Smith-Schuster. On the season, Smith-Schuster has 1,389 yards and 10 touchdowns and his clearly not only USC’s best player but Smith could very well be in contention for best receiver in the country next season. The Trojans are 30th in offense overall (449.6 ypg), 26th in scoring offense (34.9 ppg), and 4th overall in turnovers per game with only 0.8 turnovers a contest.
The statistics are not overly great but the Trojans defense as elite, pure athletes in that side of the ball. Potential 1st round pick LB/S S’ua Cravens (78 tackles, two INTs, six pass deflections) is a stud on his own and will stand out among his teammates. True freshman corner Iman Marshall has had his up and downs on the season but provided 60 tackles, three interceptions and is the future of the USC defense. CB Adoree Jackson is an elusive, multi-talented player. Look for the Trojans to develop ways to get ball in his hand has he can change the game on his returns or even the occasional spot duty at wide receiver. As stated, even if the stats are iffy, the amount of athletes on the Trojans team will be evident.
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Why Wisconsin May Win
It’s not difficult to observe that the Badgers have an elite defense. First overall in the country in yards allowed (267.1), points allowed per game (13.1), third in yards per play (4.2), fifth in passing yards per game (168.9), and the list goes on and on. LB Joe Schobert (73 tackles, four forced fumbles) is one of the leaders of the defense as well as safety Tanner McEvoy (39 tackles, six INTs) and if he sounds familiar, that’s because he’s a former Badger QB as well.
WR Alex Erickson makes impactful things happen on the offensive side of the ball with his 924 yards and three TDs on the season. However, we all know Wisconsin as a running, punch in the mouth team so it’s worth keeping an eye on RB Dare Ogunbowale who has rushed for 769 yards and seven TDs along with 278 reception yards as well. Yet even with those standout guys on offense, it still seems that the offense lacks a punch. 67th in scoring offense (27.1 ppg) needs to be boosted in order to stay with the fast USC offense.
Who May Win
Wisconsin’s defense is top-notch. They have the ability to set the tone and that ability to set the tone early and often makes them tough to beat. Wisconsin has four games on the season where they allowed 21 or more points and one includes the juggernaut Alabama Crimson Tide. What is also key to know is that all four games are away from Madison, Wisconsin. USC is going to look to get JuJu Smith established early which is important as Wisconsin can’t afford a shootout. If Kessler and company can move the ball regularly and garner points, Wisconsin will be in trouble.
Trojans 28 Badgers 20