Why you should watch: 

It's the Rose Bowl. The oldest bowl game. The “Grandaddy” of them all. And the game pits the Pac-10 champion against the Big 10 champion in a battle for conference superiority.

When Ohio State has the ball: 

The Buckeyes have not been an eye-popping team on the offensive side of the football in 2009. Junior QB Terrelle Pryor is considered by many to be the most athletic player on the team and he has certainly been the most valuable player. Pryor leads the team in rushing (707 yards, 7 TD) as well as passing, but has thrown for just 152 yards per game and has struggled with his passing efficiency (55.6% completions, 16 TD, 10 INT). The Oregon defense will certainly focus on containing Pryor, so it will be important for another star to emerge for the Buckeyes offense. Look for junior RB Brandon Saine, who was a potent weapon the last three weeks of the season, to take some of the pressure off of Pryor. The Buckeyes leading receiver is sophomore DeVier Posey, who has 52 receptions for 727 yards and 7 TD. The Ducks don't have the best defense in the nation, but they have been able to put pressure on the quarterback. Their 32 sacks rank 17^th in the nation and Oregon is 21^st in pass efficiency defense (16 TD, 13 INT). While Pryor is a very mobile quarterback, he will have to keep an eye on LB Kenny Rowe who leads the Ducks in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (11).

When Oregon has the ball: 

First year head coach Chip Kelly was promoted from offensive coordinator, so it's no surprise that the Oregon offense has not missed a beat. In fact, this may be the best Ducks offense yet. Led by junior QB Jeremiah Masoli (2066 yards, 15 TD, 5 INT, 659 rushing yards, 12 rushing TD), the Ducks roll out the nation's 7^th highest scoring offense averaging nearly 38 points per game. Despite the loss of RB LaGarrette Blount for most of the season, freshman LaMichael James stepped in and quickly became one of the most productive backs in the nation (1476 yards, 14 TD). Blount returned to the field in the Ducks final regular season game against Oregon State, so expect both backs to contribute in this game. The explosive running attack of Oregon will be tested against Ohio State's defense. The Buckeyes boast one of the strongest run defenses in the nation. Opponents are averaging just 2.66 yards per carry and have scored just six rushing touchdowns all year. The Buckeyes are loaded with future NFL talent on their defense but pay attention to junior LB Ross Homan, who leads the team in tackles (96) and has 4 interceptions (including 3 in the last 4 games).

Intangibles: 

This is the fifth consecutive year Ohio State has earned a spot in a BCS bowl game, but the Buckeyes have just one victory in those games (2005 Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame). It would be grossly understating to say there is a desire to redeem their team reputation, as well as the nation's perception of the Big Ten as a weaker major conference. On the other side of the field, Oregon is in the Rose Bowl for the first time since 1995 after unseating USC for the Pac-10 crown for the first time in seven years. There is hunger for a win on both sides of the football, so it will come down to which team wants it more.

What will happen: 

The Buckeyes struggle to slow down the Oregon offense, with all of their speed and misdirection. LaMichael James has a solid performance, and LaGarrette Blount is able to pick up the short yards in key downs. Terrelle Pryor plays well, but doesn't give the Buckeyes offense enough “star power” to keep pace with the high-octane Ducks.

My pick:  Oregon