THE ROSE BOWL
PENN STATE VS. USC
JANUARY 1, 2009 PASADENA, CALIFORNIA
5:00 P.M.
Nicknamed “The Granddaddy of Them All,” the Rose Bowl has been held every year since 1916. It has been a sellout each year since 1947, when the PAC-10 and the Big-10 Conferences agreed to the annual meeting between their respective champions. The tradition was the longest such association ever when the Rose Bowl became part of the BCS Championship Series. The two conferences continue to provide the opposition in other years, although not necessarily their top teams if they are involved in the Championship Game. This year’s game is a return to tradition for the first time since 2004 as the two conference champions face off again. The Big Ten’s champions, the Penn State Nittany Lions, face the champions of the Pac-10, the University of Southern California Trojans. The teams enter the fray with identical 11-1 records, but with USC favored by 9 ½ points.
PENN STATE: UP: Veteran Coach Joe Paterno just inked a three year contract extension. Paterno just turned 82 on December 21st. He is in his 43rd year coaching. QB Daryll Clark, a freshman, has completed 60% of his passes for 2,300 yards and has rushed for 9 TDs. DE Aaron Maybin has 12 sacks and DT Jared Odrick has been a key defender vs. the run and the pass. DOWN: WR Jordan Norwood suffered a foot injury in the final game of the season, but is expected to play. Backup QB Pat Devlin has opted to transfer to another school. RG Stefen Wisniewski saw limited playing time the last half of the season due to a knee injury. He hopes to be healed and ready to play.
USC: UP: The Trojans are first nationally in total defense and in scoring defense, allowing a mere 206 yards and 7.7 points per game. QB Mark Sanchez was the best in the PAC-10 with 30 TD passes vs. 10 interceptions. Using a 4-3 defense built on speed, Coach Pete Carroll has said this is his best defense ever at USC. Junior FS Taylor Mays has the speed and tackling ability to make him a possible first-round draft pick this year, along with three other defensive players. DOWN: Offensive Coordinator Steve Sarkisian accepted the head coaching position at Washington, leaving USC a coach short for the Rose Bowl. Receivers coach John Morton will call the offensive plays for the game. RB Joe McKnight is a breakout threat, but has had some fumbling problems and ongoing injuries.
KEYS TO THE GAME: The speed and strength of the Trojan defense will meet its strongest test this year. The Penn State offensive line had 3 first team All-Big Ten linemen and one 2nd team. The Nittany Lions rush for over 211 yards per game. Watch Penn State’s pressure on Sanchez. Lately, he has been rattled under pressure, throwing 3 interceptions the last two games. The Lions are 5th nationally in total defense and 4th in least points allowed.
BY THE NUMBERS: For the season the Nittany Lions are 7-3-1 ATS and 7-4 O/U. USC has been 7-5 ATS and 3-8-1 O/U. As a favorite the Trojans are 11-1 SU and 7-5 ATS, while Penn State has not played as the underdog this season. In bowl games since 1993 USC has been 8-4 SU and 7-5 ATS; PSU has been 9-3 SU and 8-4 ATS over the same period. The Rose Bowl promises to be a return to its former glory between two great conferences. It is definitely a must-watch game.