Dec 30, 2015 08:30 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

It's not the Rose Bowl, but this year's National Funding Holiday Bowl offers an intriguing matchup of Pac-12 and Big Ten teams.

After making Clay Helton its permanent head football coach, the USC Trojans (25) are trying to cap a turbulent season with a bowl win. But for Cody Kessler to win his final game with the Trojans, he will have to best one of the best defenses in the nation.

Click here to listen to the game live via TuneIn. WatchESPN will offer a live stream online as well. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET in San Diego, Calif.

The Wisconsin Badgers had the highest scoring offense in the nation, but the Badgers also proved difficult to move the ball against as well. Wisconsin allowed an average of 254 yards per game, third in the nation behind Alabama and Boston College. Wisconsin led the nation with 13.1 points allowed per game.

Wrapping up three years as USC's starting QB, Kessler threw 87 touchdowns against just 18 interceptions, never throwing more than seven in a season. But while Wisconsin poses an imposing threat for Kessler, the reverse can be said for the Badger defense.

"Turning on film and watching it from a football perspective - being able to see the formations and everything - they're a very explosive team," Wisconsin junior cornerback Sojourn Shelton told the team's official website. "Their receivers are athletic, their running backs are athletic and their quarterback, he's pretty good.

"He's a good QB. He can stand down the gun barrel and take those hits and put the pass on the money in all types of situations. He's somebody we're going to have to keep trying to get after."

(Rankings: CFP. Stats: ESPN)

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