USC Trojans vs Wisconsin Badgers Point Spread Picks

HOLIDAY BOWL: USC heads to San Diego for this game with some problems. The Trojans lost to Stanford and ended up in San Diego rather than at the coveted Rose Bowl in Pasadena. Coach Clay Helton fired several of his assistants in the week following his hiring, which could leave the Trojans vulnerable in certain areas. One is on the offensive line where USC has allowed 35 sacks, which is tied for eighth-most in the Pac-12. The Wisconsin Badgers have a premier pass rusher in outside linebacker Joe Schobert. He has produced 18.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks and forced five fumbles, which ties the single-season program record. Wisconsin brings the nation's #1 scoring defense and #3 total defense into this game. Wisconsin has a chance to hit 10 wins for first-year head man Paul Chryst and Badgers fans travel to bowl games well. Badgers senior quarterback Joel Stave has been a three-year starter and will have one of his favorite targets back as second-leading receiver Robert Wheelwright has been practicing after missing the final four games with a broken fibula. Wisconsin's defense allowed fewer than three yards per carry in eight of the 12 games. This is a very strong, very aggressive defensive 3-4 scheme that gets into the backfield and stuffs drives on a regular basis. Wisconsin was a +6 point dog in a bowl a year ago to Auburn of the SEC and won 34-31...and they can do it again. Take Wisconsin on the moneyline.