January 2012 - 98th Rose Bowl
Welcome to Santa Monica, California
Rose Bowl Edition
(PHOTO BY DAVID STLUKA)
vs.
LAMICHAEL JAMES
RUSSELL WILSON
Repeat visitors Wisconsin, Oregon make returns to the Rose Bowl
Oregon Ducks Record: 11-2 (8-1) BCS Rank: No. 5 Conference: Pac-12 Last appearance: 2010 Points for: 46.2 average, 3rd overall in nation Points against: 23.6 average, 38th overall
PASADENA The last two losers of the Rose Bowl have another chance to get it right. Pac-12 champion Oregon will face Big Ten champion Wisconsin on Jan. 2, 2012 in the 98th edition of the Granddaddy of Them All. The ninth-ranked Badgers (11-2) are headed to their second straight Rose Bowl after losing 21-19 to TCU last year. The No. 6 Ducks (11-2) lost to Terrelle Pryor and Ohio State in Pasadena two seasons ago before falling in the BCS title game last season. Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema is already motivated for a particularly compelling chapter of the Rose Bowl's traditional intersectional rivalry, with the wildly inventive Ducks pitted against the Badgers' old-school power football. "The great thing about this bowl game matchup is it's the direct opposites of offensive philosophy," Bielema said. "You want to have unique matchups, and for us to play Oregon in one of the best environments for football any-
where, it's going to be so unique. It's going to draw a lot of attention." Players from both teams knew their holiday destination well before the official announcement, celebrating with roses in their teeth after they won their conferences' first title games. Oregon battered UCLA 49-31 at Autzen Stadium, and Wisconsin edged Michigan State 42-39. "I don't get to watch a lot of college football because we're playing, but I watched that whole game," Oregon coach Chip Kelly said of the Big Ten championship. "That was one for the ages, just to see how hard the kids from Wisconsin competed. They were making plays all over the field." Both coaches were thrilled that the byzantine BCS rules will allow the traditional Pac-12/Big Ten intersectional matchup for just the sixth time in the last 11 years. The Horned Frogs crashed Pasadena last season thanks to a BCS rule that required the Rose Bowl SEE VISITORS PAGE 6
Deals around town Santa Monica businesses offer special offers for Rose Bowl fans.
Sightseeing The Santa Monica Pier is at the center of a bustling beach scene.
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Wisconsin Badgers Record: 11-2 (6-2) BCS Rank: No. 10 Conference: Big Ten Last appearance: 2011 Points for: 44.6 average, 4th overall in nation Points against: 17.0 average, 6th overall