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Rose and Fiesta Bowls Open Thread

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The Grandaddy of 'em all kicks off the afternoon slate of bowls. The ideal matchup for next year's Rose Bowl features Jeff Tedford's Bears taking on Jim Harbaugh and Michigan.

Saturday, January 1
TIME (ET) MATCHUP TV PPV MOBILE TICKETS
4:30 PM ET No. 5 Wisconsin vs. No. 3 TCU
ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY VIZIO
 ESPN3.com Tickets
8:30 PM ET Connecticut vs. No. 7 Oklahoma
TOSTITOS FIESTA BOWL
 ESPN3.com Tickets

Why watch the Rose Bowl?

Because it's the Rose Bowl!  This is one of the most intriguing matchups of the bowl season as TCU's top-ranked defense takes on a Wisconsin offense that averaged 67 points per game in its last three games.  As much attention as the Wisconsin offense has received, TCU's offense was even better this season.  They averaged 43 points per game all season (same as Wisconsin) and nearly 500 yards of offense.  Wisconsin played a tougher schedule, but TCU soundly delivered the pain to every opponent they played.   Keep an eye on the battle in the trenches as TCU's immovable front seven meets the unstoppable force of Wisconsin's run game, led by the best offensive line in college football.  Winner: TCU by 1 point.

Why watch the Fiesta Bowl?

You're in a sour mood after Cal misses the Rose Bowl for the 52nd consecutive year and you want to relieve your frustration by watching the most spectacular beatdown of the bowl season.  Connecticut might be the worst team ever to appear in a BCS bowl.  They lost to Michigan, Temple, and Rutgers, and they were shut out by Louisville.  They have one of the worst passing offenses in the nation (their starting QB has only thrown 5 TDs in 10 games), but they have a strong rushing game anchored by Jordan Todman (1,574 yds, 14 TDs).  Oklahoma is led by Landry Jones who threw for nearly 4,300 yards with 35 TDs.  UConn will have a tough time stopping Jones and the Oklahoma offense.  Winner: Oklahoma by 100