Big Ten often gets a bad rap during bowl season, but keep in mind that Big Ten bowl underdogs have gone 24-19, 55.8 percent ATS since 2000, while ACC favorites have gone just 22-25 ATS. That bodes well for the chances of the Wisconsin Badgers to cover vs. the Miami Hurricanes here.

History aside, we feel that this game will be decided by both the rushing offense and the rushing defense of the Badgers. Wisconsin is averaging a whopping 206.7 rushing yards per game, led by Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year John Clay, who rushed for nearly 1400 yards and 16 touchdowns during the regular season. The punishing ground attack helped the Badgers average a hefty 39.0 points per game in the last five contests.

While the offense has gotten most of the notice, the Badgers run defense has been top notch also, limiting opponents to just 90.5 rushing yards per game on a miniscule 2.9 yards per carry. That combination of run offense and run defense should win you a lot of games, and even though Wisconsin fished at 9-3, keep in mind that they outgained Rose Bowl participant Ohio State by an amazing 184 yards in on one of their losses.

Thus, Wisconsin was a legitimate contender to win the Big Ten, so this will be no walk in the park for what may be an overrated Miami team. Yes, quarterback Jacory Harris had a breakthrough season for the Hurricanes, but he has usually had the support of the ground game, and we are still not sure he can handle the bowl pressure here if forced to win this game by himself, which would be the case of the form of the Wisconsin rushing defense holds.

We also like the hook attached to the field goal in the event of a close game here, although that should be a moot point as we see the Badgers winning this contest straight up.

NCAA BOWL PICK: Wisconsin +3.5 (-110)