National Funding Holiday Bowl
USC (8-5) vs. Wisconsin (9-3)
San Diego
Dec. 30, 2015
To say USC’s season has been turbulent would be an understatement.
The Trojans began the season ranked No. 8, stumbled, overcame a poor conference start, the firing of their head coach and the off-field drama that surrounded it to win the Pac-12 South, play in the conference title game and ultimately one of the better Pac-12 bowls.
It’s not the major bowl the program hoped for when the season began, but the feat is impressive considering the challenges of the season.
But earning the second consecutive nine-win season won’t be easy for the Trojans, who face the nation’s top scoring defense in Wisconsin.
The Badgers are allowing just 13.1 points per game and allowed just four opponents to score 20 or more points this season. The Badgers rank third nationally in total defense (267.1 yards per game), fourth against the run (97.9), and sixth against the pass (169.2).
Those aren’t welcoming numbers for a USC offense that averaged 46.8 points in its first four games and 29.7 points in the nine games afterward.
It’s difficult to say what contributed to that slide. It might have been a step up in competition, some lapses on the offensive line or the injuries to star receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. Whatever it was, USC had trouble putting up points consistently against better defenses and Wednesday’s Holiday Bowl is shaping up to be more of the same.
USC quarterback Cody Kessler comes into the contest with a sprained thumb but has been on fire through the second half of the season. He’s thrown 10 touchdowns in the last five games and just one interception in the last seven.
If USC can figure out a way to score consistently on the Wisconsin defense, the Badgers will be in some trouble. Wisconsin’s offense has thrived against Big Ten opponents with losing records, but against teams with winning records, like Iowa and Northwestern, it scored 13 points total.
Much of Wisconsin’s woes stem from the lack of a 1,000-yard rusher. For the first time since 2004, Wisconsin doesn’t have a star running back in the backfield to carry the offensive load. Corey Clement was supposed to be that guy, but several injuries have interrupted his season. Clement has only played in three games this year, but is expected to take the field on Wednesday.
USC and Wisconsin have not met since 1966, but USC has won all six meetings between the two programs.
Picks
Graham: This is a tough game to pick simply because I’m not sure USC’s offense will do well against this Wisconsin defense. However, I also think USC has played a better schedule and stats can be misleading. USC 24, Wisconsin 10.
Nick: USC's the most talented team on the field, will there be a second-straight-year-in-San-Diego letdown? Last time Clay Helton was in charge of USC during a bowl game the Trojans blew out Colorado State. USC 34-24
Sam: Don’t let the 9-3 record fool you, this was a down year for Wisconsin. The Badgers just won’t be able to keep up offensively with USC. The Trojans win this one, 24-20.
For more USC news, visit TrojanSports.com.
For more Wisconsin news, visit BadgerBlitz.com.
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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday
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