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Has something seemed odd to you about the BCS bowls this year? Does it seem like ... oh wait, West Virginia just scored again.

Does it seem like ... wait, there goes De'Anthony Thomas. Don't think he'll get caught from behind.

Does it seem like ... wait, would somebody please tackle Justin Blackmon?

Does it seem like there have been a lot of points this bowl season?

It's not just you. There have been a lot of points. More points than ever before. And by huge quantities.

So far, BCS bowl teams have averaged a total of 77 points in the Rose, Fiesta, Orange and Sugar bowls. That, folks, is nearly 26 points more than last year (51.6). And it's nearly 11 points better than the previous high of 66.3 from 2001-02.

Perhaps pairing two SEC teams in the title game has created a black hole sucking all defensive stinginess into the LSU-Alabama rematch, which you might recall went 9-6 with no touchdowns in their first meeting. West Virginia scored 10 touchdowns -- 10! -- against Clemson. Alabama gave up 12 TDs all season.

Speaking of Clemson: ACC. Well, well, well.

After the Tigers ingloriously fell 70-33 to the Mountaineers, we got our second story from the BCS bowl season: The ACC's insistence on throwing up on itself in BCS bowl games.

The conference that was once expected to challenge the SEC is now 2-13 in BCS bowl games. That's hard to do. You'd think in 15 BCS bowls the conference could get lucky at least five or six times. But no, it insists on making ACC blogger Heather Dinich, a genuinely nice person, into some sort of Grim Reaper every bowl season.

Heck, the Big East has won seven BCS bowls -- second fewest among AQ conferences -- but it's 7-7.

Of course, this all ties together, and we're here to bring out a bow, but first a warning: If you don't want to read about how good the SEC is for the 56,314th time this year, then stop reading. I'd recommend an episode of "South Park" or perhaps a John le Carré thriller as an alternative for passing the time.

We can all agree the SEC plays great defense right? Alabama and LSU will play for the title Monday with the nation's top-two defenses. Do you think perhaps that it's not a coincidence that the conference that is 16-7 in BCS bowl games plays great defense?

The only other AQ conference with a winning record in BCS bowl games is the Pac-12, which is 11-7. The Pac-12 isn't known for defense, either, but USC was when it won the conference's last national title in 2004.

The only team to win a BCS national title without an elite defense was Auburn in 2010, but the Tigers' defense seemed to find itself late in the season. Since 1999, eight national champions had a top-10 defense. Other than Auburn, the lowest-rated defense to win a BCS national title was Ohio State in 2002. It ranked 23rd in the nation in total defense.

Three of the four BCS bowl games have been thrillers. Two went to overtime. We've seen big plays all over the field in the passing game and running game. Yet, if things go according to script in the title game, we'll see none of that. We might not see more than a couple of plays that go for more than 20 yards. We might not see any.

Some might call that boring. It might seem that both offenses are so paranoid of making a mistake that they are stuck in mud, both in game plan and execution.

But, snoozefest or not, when the clock strikes zero a team from the SEC will hoist the crystal football for a sixth consecutive time.

That might say something about playing better defense.

ESPN.com's Brian Bennett talks with Wisconsin safety Aaron Henry following the Badgers' loss in the Rose Bowl.

ESPN.com's Brian Bennett, Ted Miller and Gene Wojciechowski break down Oregon's win over Wisconsin in the Rose Bowl.

PASADENA, Calif. -- Instant analysis from Rose Bowl Stadium where No. 5 Oregon defeated No. 10 Wisconsin 45-38:

How the game was won: Both teams traded scores and major momentum swings. But Oregon had just a little too much speed at its skill positions for Wisconsin's defense to match. As the Badgers slowed down with just 10 points in the second half, the Ducks were able to eke out a close victory thanks to a couple of key turnovers. Everyone thought this could be a shootout, and we weren't disappointed by one of the most entertaining Rose Bowls ever. Oregon just had a little bit more explosiveness.

Turning point: Wisconsin had the ball with a chance to tie the score, and Russell Wilson completed a 29-yard pass to Jared Abbrederis inside the Oregon 30. But Terrance Mitchell knocked the ball free near the sideline, and the Ducks recovered with 4:04 left. Even though Oregon's quick-strike offense isn't built to bleed the clock, the Ducks picked up a couple of first downs to leave Wisconsin with less than a minute to drive the field. The Badgers had two big second-half turnovers, including Wilson's interception near the end of the third quarter, just his fourth of the season. That was enough in a game where stops were at a premium.

Stat of the game: The two teams combined for 1,130 total yards. Oregon averaged 9.7 yards per play.

Player of the game: Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas. He didn't get a lot of touches but made the most of them. He had a 91-yard and a 64-yard touchdown run to finish with 155 yards rushing and two touchdowns. Honorable mention to quarterback Darron Thomas (17-of-23 for 269 yards and three touchdowns, with an interception) and running back LaMichael James (25 carries for 159 yards and a score). James moved into second place on the Pac-12's career rushing list.

Unsung hero of the game: Oregon receiver Lavasier Tuinei did not have a great season but came up huge in the Rose Bowl. He finished with eight catches for 158 yards and two touchdowns, with several drive-extending grabs.

Second guessing: Wisconsin coach Bret Bielema burned two timeouts early in the third quarter, one to try and challenge a kick return that De'Anthony Thomas almost downed outside of his own end zone. That left the Badgers unable to stop the clock late when they had a chance to tie the score. Wilson spiked the ball at the 25-yard-line after a long completion with two seconds left, but the officials ruled that there was no time left for another play. Bielema was also questioned after taking timeouts before the Hail Mary that Michigan State completed in an earlier loss this season.

What it means: Oregon won its first Rose Bowl since 1917 and proved it could win a BCS game after losing close ones the previous two years. Head coach Chip Kelly will no longer be questioned about winning big games. Bielema could continue to hear that criticism after his team suffered its second straight heartbreaking Rose Bowl loss. Without Wilson and most likely Montee Ball next season, Wisconsin might have missed a window to do something special this season. Oregon should be a top 5 team to start next season even if James goes pro, as both Thomases and Kenjon Barner return to form a strong nucleus

Record performance: The 83 combined points were the most in Rose Bowl history, eclipsing the 80 points combined between Washington and Iowa in 1991. Oregon and Wisconsin also set records for the most points scored in the first quarter (28) and in any half (56) in Rose Bowl history.

PASADENA, Calif. -- If the fourth quarter is anything like the first three here at Rose Bowl Stadium, we could be headed for a finish for the ages.

Wisconsin and Oregon traded punches and turnovers in the third quarter, and it remains anyone's game.

Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas opened the half by burning Wisconsin for another big play, going 64 yards for a touchdown just three plays and 33 seconds after halftime. When Thomas turns the corner, it's lights out for the defense.

That looked like it might be dispiriting for the Badgers, but Russell Wilson led the team on two scoring drives, throwing a touchdown pass to Nick Toon after picking up two key third downs on the drive. An earlier Wisconsin field goal felt like a win for the Ducks defense with the way this game has gone.

The Badgers defense forced a rare three-and-out and came up with their second turnover of the game when Aaron Henry intercepted Darron Thomas on an overthrown third-and-long pass. But Wisconsin gave it right back on a Russell Wilson interception, just his fourth of the season. Oregon's Kiko Alonso came up with the pick.

Wilson was having a tremendous game in his first opportunity to play in a big bowl. That interception could cost him his quest to finish ahead of Baylor's Robert Griffin III for the NCAA single-season passing-efficiency record, though I'm sure all he wants is the win.

Surprisingly, it hasn't really been Oregon's pace that has bothered Wisconsin. It has been Oregon's speed and skill. And Wisconsin's passing game has been better than most people probably expected, though, that interception really hurt.

All the stars have show up -- Wilson, Montee Ball, Thomas, LaMichael James. If the fourth quarter is anything like the first three, this could go down as one of the best Rose Bowls ever. And that's saying something.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Quick halftime analysis from Rose Bowl Stadium, where we're tied at 28 after a fast and furious first 30 minutes:

Turning point: With the score tied at 21, Wisconsin linebacker Mike Taylor came free on a blitz and buckled the arm of Oregon quarterback Darron Thomas. Teammate Louis Nzegwu was in the right place to scoop it up, and he rumbled 33 yards for the defensive score. In a game in which the offenses are dominating, any defensive reversal like that looms large.

Stat of the half: Oregon has 28 points on 29 plays, averaging 11.8 yards per play. Wisconsin is averaging an even 7 yards per play. The two teams have combined for 636 total yards.

What Wisconsin needs to do: Keep hanging around. The Badgers are moving the ball nearly at will, but it's going to be tough to keep up with Oregon if the Ducks keep scoring at this pace. If Wisconsin can keep it close in the second half, they can put pressure on the Ducks' offense and hope for another mistake like the Thomas fumble. The Badgers have been very good in the third quarter all season, and also have made excellent second-half adjustments.

What Oregon needs to do: Take away something defensively. Montee Ball has more than 100 yards, and Russell Wilson is carving up the defense on play-action rollouts. That balance is what makes the Badgers so difficult to stop, but Oregon needs to make at least one of those facets more difficult, as it did with a fourth-down sack of Wilson in the second quarter.

Record performances: Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas ran 91 yards for a touchdown on the final play of the first quarter. That was the longest touchdown run in Rose Bowl history. Montee Ball tied Barry Sanders' FBS scoring record with his 39th touchdown on the season with a 3-yard plunge into the end zone in the second quarter. The two teams combined for a Rose Bowl record 56 points in the first half, 11 more than the previous high.

PASADENA, Calif. — Strap yourself in. We are having a wild and wildly entertaining 2012 Rose Bowl.

Oregon's De'Anthony Thomas capped an exciting first quarter with a 91-yard run on the final play to tie the score at 14. The Ducks' speed advantage was on full display with that burst, as safety Aaron Henry couldn't catch up with Thomas down the sideline.

We had scores on the first three possessions, as Wisconsin pounded the Ducks on the ground with Montee Ball, then opened up play-action for a Russell Wilson touchdown throw and a Wilson bootleg scoring run. The Badgers got an important three-and-out and then pinned Oregon deep in their own territory, but it didn't matter because of Thomas's run.

The Rose Bowl combined scoring record is 80 points. Long way to go, but that could be threatened.

So far, it's about what we expected. Wisconsin's power game is causing Oregon lots of problems, and the Badgers need to keep Ball in the game. There's just not the same respect for play-action when James White comes in. The Ducks have ripped off some big gains in the running game, too, and when their skill players get outside the tackles, it's a dangerous situation for the Badgers' defense.

There should be lots more fireworks coming our way.

PASADENA, Calif. -- If I spell some words wrong in this post, it's because I've been blinded by Oregon's shiny silver helmets. They look like human disco balls. Or as one of our Twitter followers put it, Disco Ducks.

Hard to see how that won't be a distraction, with the sun bouncing off the helmets causing a glare, at least from high up. It's supposedly not as bad from field level. But the reflection should be nice when the sun sets.

In important news, Wisconsin center Peter Konz worked out with the first team before the game, as he has all week. Konz will start, marking his return from a dislocated ankle against Minnesota. Keep an eye on how he's moving early in the game. The Badgers have a capable backup plan, as guard Travis Frederick can slide over if necessary. But Konz is an All-American when healthy.

The crowd looks pretty evenly split between Badgers and Ducks fans, with maybe a little more on the Wisconsin side. Great turnout by both schools, as you'd expect for this one.

LOS ANGELES -- When Wisconsin landed in Southern California last week, the team went straight to Rose Bowl Stadium. The view was very familiar for most of the Badgers after playing in last year's game against TCU.

For Russell Wilson, however, the sight was something new. Though one of his strengths as a quarterback is his ability to keep an even keel at all times, Wilson couldn't help but muse about his interesting path to Pasadena.

"He told me, 'Coach, a year ago I was in an NC State locker room, then a professional baseball locker room and now a Rose Bowl locker room,'" head coach Bret Bielema recalled.

Around this time last year, Wilson was leading NC State to a win over West Virginia in the Champs Sports Bowl. Wisconsin wasn't even on his radar. The story from there is well known, as Wilson played minor league baseball in the offseason, was given an ultimatum by Wolfpack coach Tom O'Brien and eventually used the NCAA's graduate transfer rule to wind up with the Badgers.

Now, the Richmond, Va., native ends the saga on one of college football's grandest postseason stages.

"When I grew up on the East Coast, my dad always would say, 'It would be special if you would play in the Rose Bowl,'" Wilson said. "And in the back of my mind I thought, 'Yeah, it would be awesome. But there's no chance of me playing in it.' It's amazing how things come full circle."

Wilson's greatness is all but taken for granted now. He completed 72.5 percent of his passes for 2,879 yards, with 31 touchdowns and only three interceptions this season. He has a chance to set the single-season NCAA record for passer efficiency rating with a solid game against Oregon on Monday. Wilson leads the nation with a 191.6 rating, just ahead of Heisman Trophy winner Robert Griffin III's 189.5 mark. Hawaii's Colt Brennan held the record going into this season with a 186.0 rating in 2006.

But such success was hardly guaranteed coming into the season. Wilson didn't arrive in Madison until the summer, and there were major questions about how quickly he could learn a new system and adapt to all new teammates at a position that demands leadership.

"You're learning a foreign language, and he learned it," Wisconsin offensive coordinator Paul Chryst said. "I think he understood everything when we started camp, and I think camp gave him a chance to make it become more second nature. And that only happens by working at it and being exceptionally bright to be able to grasp all that."

Wilson said he expected to understand the playbook quickly. His biggest challenge was trying to remember all the new teammates he'd met.

"I'm not very good with names," he said.

That appears to be one of his few weaknesses. Wilson set records at NC State despite having a poor supporting cast on offense. He flourished with the help of the Badgers' standout offensive line and high-powered rushing game led by Montee Ball.

Wisconsin's play-action passing game presents a nightmare for defensive coordinators as they have to respect the run but somehow not give up passing or scrambling lanes to Wilson. He might stand only about 5-foot-11, but Wilson can do just about everything athletically you'd want in a quarterback.

"He shows great poise under pressure," Oregon defensive back Eddie Pleasant said. "He makes a lot of good plays on the run when he has pressure in his face.

"I was impressed to see how short he is. Watching him on film, he flings the ball 50 yards on the run. To see him in person, wow. I can't believe he throws the ball like that."

Physical gifts are only part of Wilson's story, though.

Bielema couldn't have known what kind of leader he was getting when Wilson transferred. It spoke volumes when teammates voted him a captain in the preseason after only a few weeks with the program. Wilson justified that by helping keep things together after the heart-wrenching back-to-back losses this season to Michigan State and Ohio State. If not for the two last-minute, game-winning passes by the Spartans and Buckeyes, those games might have been remembered for how Wilson rallied the team back from deficits in the fourth quarter.

"I think Russell Wilson is best when people around him are at their worst," Bielema said. "He really does make great players play well in difficult situations."

That trait might prove invaluable on Monday. There are few more pressure-packed venues than the Rose Bowl, and it wouldn't surprise anyone if the Badgers have to fight through adversity with the way Oregon can score quickly. Wilson doesn't have a lot of postseason experience; his only other bowl game besides last year's Champs Sports was a 2008 PapaJohns.com Bowl loss to Rutgers in which he got injured early.

But he did come through in the Big Ten title game, and those around him say he embraces the spotlight moments.

"I expect nothing less than absolute poise and professionalism from him," left tackle Josh Oglesby said. "He just exudes confidence in the huddle. This is his opportunity to play on a big stage for the first time, and I think he's going to thrive off it."

The Granddaddy looks like a classic in the making, with two explosive offenses going head to head in Pasadena. Both Wisconsin and Oregon are hungry for a BCS victory, too, after some recent failure. Here's a preview of what to expect on Monday from the Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO:

WHO TO WATCH: Wisconsin's Montee Ball. The junior running back needs just one touchdown to tie and two to break the FBS single-season record, as his 38 scores are one behind Barry Sanders' mark. Ball doesn't usually stop at one trip to the end zone, as he has scored at least two touchdowns in every game this season and at least three touchdowns in each of his past five games. The running game in general will be enormous for the Badgers. Not only does that trigger everything they do offensively, but the more they can grind the clock by keeping the ball on the ground, the longer they can prevent Oregon's offense from taking the field. Ball and the Ducks' LaMichael James are two of the best backs in the NCAA, so the head-to-head matchup will be a fun one to track.

WHAT TO WATCH: Which defense can come up with stops? Both teams are known for their offenses but have better defenses -- statistically speaking, at the very least -- than they get credit for. Still, the clash of styles could make it difficult for either side to slow the other down, as Wisconsin's power running game could eat up Oregon's undersized defense, while the Ducks' flash-forward no-huddle spread could leave the Badgers gasping for and grasping at air. For Wisconsin, a huge key will be tackling in open space, something at which linebackers Mike Taylor and Chris Borland usually excel. There might not be many punts or three-and-outs in this game, but if either defense can string together some stops, that could be enough to swing momentum.

WHY TO WATCH: You've got two top-10 teams, two offenses that average more than 44 points per game, two wildly contrasting styles, stars like Ball, Russell Wilson, James and Darron Thomas, splashy uniforms and the beauty and pageantry that is the Rose Bowl. If you need more reasons to watch, you must not like college football.

PREDICTION: Oregon 35, Wisconsin 30. No outcome would be all that surprising in this matchup. Wisconsin should succeed in running the ball with Ball, but the Badgers will have trouble slowing Oregon's roll. It’s going to be a thriller, but the Ducks will be more efficient on offense and clinch the game in the fourth quarter.

Brian Bennett interviews Wisconsin linebacker Mike Taylor.

LOS ANGELES -- Outside the Wisconsin locker room is a wall full of plaques honoring the school's All-Americans. Guard Kevin Zeitler walked past that every day last offseason dreaming of hanging his picture up there next to John Moffitt, who earned All-America recognition last year.

Zeitler was lightly recruited until late in his high school career and had never even made an All-Big Ten team. But after an outstanding senior season, he now has his own spot on that wall.

"We have a lot of pride in our offensive line here, and all of us want to live up to expectations," he said. "And I guess when you live up to expectations, that equals All-Americans."

Churning out offensive line talent may just be the state of Wisconsin's No. 1 industry at this point. Last year, Moffitt and tackle Gabe Carimi were named All-Americans. Both of them and guard Bill Nagy were drafted by the NFL and started as rookies. That exodus would decimate some programs. The Badgers simply reloaded with two more All-Americans in Zeitler and center Peter Konz.

The offensive line has been the program's signature position since the days of Barry Alvarez. While linemen at most schools are an anonymous bunch, the Badgers big fellas become stars, as evidenced by how many interviews the starting linemen gave at Friday's Rose Bowl media day.

"There's just something about that Wisconsin tradition," guard/center Travis Frederick said. "If you're from Wisconsin, you almost want to grow up and be a Wisconsin offensive lineman. And if you get a chance to play at Wisconsin, you take that chance."

The only thing more remarkable about the Badgers size on the line -- the starters measure an average of 6-foot-5 and 322 pounds -- is the fact that every key contributor is from the state of Wisconsin. Whether they were stud recruits like left tackle Josh Oglesby and Konz or a former walk-on like Ricky Wagner who gained 70 pounds after arriving on campus as a tight end, they all seem to develop into some of the best linemen in the country. Maybe it's all that cheese in the Dairy State. Milk apparently does a big body good.

But it's more than just the Scandinavian stock or whatever accounts for all that homegrown size. A standard has been set.

"You look back, and you see Gabe Carimi, and Joe Thomas, both Outland Trophy winners," Konz said. "You've got Chris McIntosh. You've got a lot of guys that you really have to live up to.

"You've got to live up to the strength standards, the weight standards. You've got to live up to the knowledge that they had about the game. We pride ourselves on being extremely smart, understanding blitzes, understanding formations, and really being on target so that we can be as successful as possible."

A major factor in Monday's Rose Bowl will be whether Oregon can handle that offensive line. The Ducks are bigger and better up front defensively than many people think, especially at defensive tackle with Taylor Hard (6-6, 283) and Wade Keliikipi (6-3, 300). Still, outside of Stanford and USC, Oregon isn't used to seeing lines like Wisconsin's. Because there aren't many.

Oregon's defensive players are downplaying any beef disadvantage in the trenches.

"They've got huge offensive linemen just like Stanford," said defensive end Brandon Hanna, whose Ducks have manhandled the Cardinal in recent years. "We're not too worried about that. Size doesn't bother us."

The Rose Bowl will mark the end of an era of sorts for the Wisconsin offensive line, as position coach Bob Bostad is moving on to Pittsburgh to join offensive coordinator Paul Chryst. He oversaw the development of four All-Americans since 2008. Tight ends coach Joe Rudolph will take over the group once Bostad leaves. Rudolph was an All-Big Ten guard for the Badgers.

"He's got a lot of pride in the position because he played it," Zeitler said. "To see what he's done with all the tight ends who've gone on to be All-Americans here, you know he knows how to coach. So it will be a new personality, but I believe the production will stay the same."

The names and faces may change, but Wisconsin keeps adding plaques to the wall.

On Monday, we gave you our picks for the eight non-BCS bowls involving Big Ten teams. Now it's time to turn our attention to the big ones.

Our picks for the Rose and Sugar bowls will also serve as our final game predictions for the 2011 season. Season bragging rights between the bloggers are on the line.

Without further ado ...

Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO

No. 10 Wisconsin vs. No. 5 Oregon (Jan. 2)

Brian Bennett: A tantalizing matchup that frankly could go either way. I think Wisconsin will find a lot of success in the ground game with Montee Ball, but I question the Badgers' ability to slow down the Ducks' hyper-speed offense. Teams that have stopped Oregon usually have dominant linemen on defense, and Wisconsin is good but not great in that area. We saw in the Big Ten championship game that you can exploit the Badgers out in space. It's a thriller, but Oregon makes fewer mistakes and capitalizes one more time on a clinching fourth-quarter touchdown run by LaMichael James. ... Oregon 35, Wisconsin 30.

Adam Rittenberg: I need this one to have any chance to catch Mr. Bennett in the overall standings, and I'm going with the underdog. Wisconsin has the ability to not only control the clock but attack Oregon in multiple ways. Ball should be able to move the ball, but quarterback Russell Wilson will be the difference as he attacks the nation's 82nd-rated pass defense. Wisconsin will use the USC blueprint to beat Oregon: great quarterback play, a big game from a wide receiver (Jared Abbrederis) and just enough defense to survive. Although the Badgers' defense didn't impress me in the Big Ten championship game, the unit should benefit from the extra prep time for Oregon. Wilson throws three touchdown passes and runs in another in the fourth quarter. ... Wisconsin 38, Oregon 35

Allstate Sugar Bowl

No. 13 Michigan vs. No. 11 Virginia Tech (Jan. 3)

Adam Rittenberg: Virginia Tech won't be as bad as it was in the ACC title game, but Michigan has the edge in several areas. Denard Robinson put it all together late in the regular season, and he'll be tough to contain for four quarters if he doesn't turn over the ball. Virginia Tech really struggled with Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd, and "Shoelace" might be even more dangerous. Michigan's defensive front should be able to contain the Hokies' ground game. Brady Hoke completes a strong first season with a BCS bowl victory. ... Michigan 27, Virginia Tech 21

Brian Bennett: I still don't know why Virginia Tech is in this game, but Michigan should be thankful. This is a very advantageous matchup for the Wolverines, whose strength on defense aligns with their biggest need: stopping Hokies running back David Wilson. Virginia Tech has the speed on defense to protect the edge but not the size to fight off David Molk and an excellent Michigan offensive line. Robinson gets loose a couple times on the Superdome carpet, and the Wolverines frustrate the Virginia Tech offense to post a double-digit victory. ... Michigan 24, Virginia Tech 13.

LOS ANGELES -- To have any chance of stopping Oregon's high-scoring offense in the Rose Bowl, Wisconsin is going to need a strong game from linebackers Mike Taylor and Chris Borland. One thing's for sure: Both guys will surely savor the opportunity.

Borland and Taylor are arguably the co-MVPs of a mostly anonymous Badgers defense. They owe their standout 2011 seasons at least in part to some painful lessons they learned.

After being named the Big Ten freshman of the year in 2009, Borland missed all of last season, including the Rose Bowl appearance, with a shoulder injury. Taylor saw a promising redshirt freshman year end prematurely in 2009 with a torn anterior cruciate ligament that forced him to miss the Champs Sports Bowl.

Through their shared injury experience, the two formed a bond. Each helped motivate the other to recover.

"I can attest to the fact that being next to Mike for the last few years, seeing what he's had to go through, has helped me coming back from injuries," Borland told reporters. "I think he could say the same thing. It's brought us closer. We've been looking forward to playing together for a while, and this year it was able to happen."

They've both seen each other in weaker moments.

During the 2009 Champs Sports Bowl trip, Taylor was on crutches in his Orlando, Fla., hotel room and had to ask teammates to pick up some food for him.

"That hotel, it seemed like a mile, it was so long," Taylor said at Thursday's media session. "Eventually I lost the crutches and just put a brace on, but it was still quite a trek limping that far.

"When I got hurt, Chris came in and had a great season. It really made me happy to see that and obviously I was like, 'Well, what if I was healthy?' But you've got to stay positive."

Last year, Borland underwent his shoulder surgery on Dec. 23, then flew with the team to Los Angeles. Despite all the hoopla of the event, he was mostly miserable.

"Yeah, Merry Christmas, and my birthday's right after," he said. "So happy birthday. Happy New Year. I don't want to be too pitiful, because it was a great experience to come out here. I tried my best to respect where I was.

"But it was hard. It was hard to be out and not even do anything. I couldn't walk around a lot. Couldn't go to Disneyland and stuff. And then the game, most obviously."

It's safe to say that both linebackers have made up for lost time. Taylor was one of the most improved players in the Big Ten, recording 137 tackles after making only 58 last season. Borland, who switched to middle linebacker this season, added 131 stops. They are the only teammates in the Big Ten to have averaged more than 10 tackles per game this year.

Maybe neither will wow you with his size or speed, but they are both excellent tacklers who play with ferocity. Oregon offensive lineman Carson York jokingly referred to Borland as the "human incarnation of a Badger."

"Those guys are outstanding," Oregon offensive coordinator Mark Helfrich said. "I mean they immediately jump out on film and are relentless and incredibly good at shedding blocks. Slipping blocks. Avoiding blocks of offensive linemen, fullbacks.

"We know that we definitely have our hands full with those guys. And you're not going to trick them."

Taylor and Borland will have to excel against the Ducks' fast-paced offense. As middle linebacker, Borland has to signal in defensive calls as quickly as possible. Wisconsin can't afford many missed tackles against a team with such explosive speed, and its defense usually funnels plays to its top two linebackers.

Luckily for the Badgers, the two trust and communicate with each other innately, a relationship forged by some more painful times. Those memories have fueled them to this point.

"Being hurt and missing time makes you grow more mature," Borland said. "I think sometimes guys don't really appreciate what they have. And to have it taken away from you really makes you respect the game and a trip like this and a successful year."

Brian Bennett talks with Wisconsin defensive back Marcus Cromartie from the Rose Bowl.