Rose Bowl preview: Key issues for Oregon and Wisconsin

Wisconsin spent the last week answering endless questions about Oregon’s uniforms and team speed. Now the Badgers have the chance to prove or disprove the theory that time to prepare (and talent) can beat the Ducks. Staff writer Gary Klein examines the Rose Bowl’s key issues and matchups:

Can’t beat the buildup

It was a busy week for both teams but Oregon definitely had the edge in the thrill-a-minute department.

It started Dec. 26 when nine players were trapped for two hours in a hotel elevator.

The next day, running back LaMichael James became an Internet sensation not for a spectacular run but for a spectacularly hilarious photo taken on a thrill ride at Disneyland.

It continued Wednesday when offensive lineman Mark Asper assisted a choking man during the annual Beef Bowl.

“Not your average bowl week,” James said. “Hopefully that can carry over to the bowl game and we can have a heroic moment there.”

Historically speaking

Wisconsin is 3-4 in Rose Bowl games, the Badgers’ last victory coming in 2000 against Stanford.

1953 USC 7, Wisconsin 0

1960 Washington 44, Wisconsin 8

1963 USC 42, Wisconsin 37

1994 Wisconsin 21, UCLA 16

1999 Wisconsin 38, UCLA 31

2000 Wisconsin 17, Stanford 9

2011 TCU 21, Wisconsin 19

Oregon is 1-4 and has not won since its first appearance in 1917.

1917 Oregon 14, Penn 0

1920 Harvard 7, Oregon 6

1958 Ohio State 10, Oregon 7

1995 Penn State 38, Oregon 20

2010 Ohio State 26, Oregon 17

Running the show

Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson, a transfer from North Carolina State, has completed 72.5% of his passes and leads the nation in passing efficiency.

Wilson has passed for 31 touchdowns, with three interceptions. He has also run for five touchdowns and caught a touchdown pass.

Nick Toon (55 catches, nine touchdowns) and Jared Abbrederis (51 catches, seven touchdowns) are Wilson’s favorite targets. Tight end Jacob Pederson has eight touchdown catches.

Wilson faces an Oregon defense that ranks 85th against the pass but is third nationally with 43 sacks, including 7½ by end Dion Jordan and 6½ by linebacker Josh Kaddu.

Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas has completed 61.4% of his passes. He has passed for 30 touchdowns, with six interceptions, and has rushed for three touchdowns.

Freshman De’Anthony Thomas, a former Crenshaw High star, has a team-best 42 receptions and nine touchdown catches. He also has rushed for five touchdowns. Lavasier Tuinei has 40 receptions and eight touchdowns, tight end David Paulson 30 and six.

Wisconsin, led by senior safety Aaron Henry, ranks third nationally in pass defense. But the Badgers lost consecutive games against Michigan State and Ohio State on last-minute touchdown passes.

Carrying the load

James, a junior, leads the nation with an average of 149.6 rushing yards a game and has run for 17 touchdowns. The Texas native rushed for more than 200 yards in three consecutive games before suffering a dislocated elbow near midseason. He finished 10th in Heisman Trophy balloting.

Junior Kenjon Barner has rushed for 909 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Linebackers Mike Taylor and Chris Borland are the leading tacklers for a Wisconsin defense that ranks 46th nationally against the run.

Wisconsin running back Montee Ball was part of a three-man rotation in last year’s Rose Bowl. Now, he’s the main show.

The junior has rushed for a nation-leading 1,759 yards and scored 38 touchdowns. He finished third in the Heisman voting.

Safety John Boyett and linebacker Michael Clay are the top tacklers for Oregon, which ranks 45th in rushing defense.

Special delivery

De’Anthony Thomas returned two kickoffs for touchdowns and James is a dangerous punt returner.

Oregon kicker Alejandro Maldonado has made six of 11 field-goal attempts. Punter Jackson Rice averages 45.8 yards per kick.

Abbrederis has returned a punt for a touchdown and averages 16.1 yards per return for Wisconsin. He also returns kickoffs.

Kicker Philip Welch, sidelined for the first four games because of an upper-leg injury, has made four of five field-goal attempts, including a 52-yarder. Punter Brad Nortman averages 42.1 yards per kick.

Leadership positions

Oregon Coach Chip Kelly, regarded as one of college football’s top innovators, is searching for his first victory in a Bowl Championship Series game.

So is Wisconsin Coach Bret Bielema, who has prepared for the Rose Bowl with a staff in flux. Offensive coordinator Paul Chryst has remained with the Badgers while putting together a staff as Pittsburgh’s new head coach. Offensive line coach Bob Bostad will join him.

gary.klein@latimes.com

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