Two questions for the Cotton Bowl

It seems a little absurd that a 13-0 team isn't even in the top 10, yet that is the reality Western Michigan faces. However, the Broncos have a chance to legitimize their season and the MAC conference with a win over Big Ten Championship Game participant Wisconsin. Can they do it?

Cotton Bowl
Western Michigan (13-0, Mid-American Conference) vs. Wisconsin (10-3, Big Ten)
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Time: Monday, Jan. 2, 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT
Channel: ESPN

Western Michigan comes into the game undefeated. Wisconsin has a chip on its shoulder for just missing out on the Rose Bowl. Which team has more to prove in the battle of respect and momentum?

Shiloh Carder: For respect it is Western Michigan. Look, no matter what, Western Michigan's season will be talked about in those parts for a long, long time. Not only is this their first major bowl game, but this school had never been ranked until this season. Even if they lose the Cotton Bowl, it has been a magical season. If they beat Wisconsin, then this season will be legendary.

Sam Greszes: I'm going to have words with anyone who says Wisconsin has more to prove.

There is a MAC team in the Cotton Bowl, a MAC team that still, STILL, is not getting respect despite being the only team besides Alabama to have ended the regular season undefeated. They are, somehow, only ranked No. 15 in the nation.

Beating Wisconsin would instantly silence any arguments of, "Oh, they haven't played anyone," or, "Oh, they're just a MAC team, they can't be any good." Western Michigan is inarguably relevant, but to the general football-watching public, toppling a respected and storied program like Wisconsin would really change the way they're viewed.

Daniel Tran: Western Michigan thrust itself into the national spotlight with its incredibly efficient play. However, as with most successful mid-major teams, people look at their schedule and shrug at the wins. They did beat Big Ten teams like Illinois and Northwestern, but they haven’t really won against a nationally recognized opponent.

A win for Western Michigan can put them on the radar as consistent mid-major threats. They can push themselves into the national conversation with a win in the Cotton Bowl.

Both the Badgers and the Broncos are good at wearing down the other team; Wisconsin with time of possession, W. Mich with playing error-free ball. Who has the edge?

Shiloh Carder: Wisconsin. The Badgers are a bigger and better than WMU. The Broncos did win two road games against Big Ten opponents (Northwestern, Illinois), but Wisconsin isn't that kind of party. Plus, they rolled over those common opponents.

Sam Greszes: The Broncos. Time of possession is a fickle stat — if a team can score quickly and prevent the other team from scoring, it doesn't matter how long the opposing offense has the ball.

On the other hand, if the Broncos can avoid mistakes and capitalize on any that Wisconsin makes, that will offer a very real chance for Western Michigan to pull off the upset.

Daniel Tran: Western Michigan has been playing like a team on fire the whole year. The Broncos ended the regular season undefeated and are heading into the Cotton Bowl with a chip on their shoulders the size of Kalamazoo, Michigan.

Wisconsin will be as physical as ever, but the Badgers have had trouble shutting down dynamic offenses at times. Not only do the Broncos have 1,300-yard rusher Jarvion Franklin , but quarterback Zach Terrell has thrown an efficient 3,376 yards with 36 touchdowns against three interceptions.

Don’t sleep on Western Michigan. They may have a Boise State-like transformation this year.

Mascot edge: This is quite a different matchup: Broncos and Badgers. It doesn't help that they both use alliteration with Buster Bronco and Bucky Badger. If I'm being honest, I'm not entirely sure what Badgers do, so give me the horse power of the Broncos.