Rose Bowl: 7 Reasons Why The Rose Bowl Is The Best Game No Matter Who's Playing
The 2011 Rose Bowl will kick off the new year in a game between the TCU Horned Frogs and the Wisconsin Badgers. While the game may lack the traditional Big 10 versus Pac 10 rivalry, it offers a different intrigue because the Horned Frogs are undefeated.
Wisconsin, however, is no slouch winning their last seven games en route to a 11-1 record and a share of the Big Ten title. Wisconsin is led by their terrific quarterback Scott Tolzien who is ranked fourth in quarterback rating in the country.
With or without the exciting matchup, the Rose Bowl promises every year to be the best game out of all the BCS games. Here are seven reasons why...
The Stadium
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One of the oldest stadiums in the country, the Rose Bowl is a historic landmark in the world of sports. The stadium was built in 1921 and today has a seating capacity for over 92,000 people.
The Rose Bowl has hosted some truly important historical invents including five Super Bowls, two Olympic Games in 1932 and 1984, numerous Rose Bowl games and BCS Championship games and a World Cup Final in 1994.
In 2007, Sports Illustrated named the Rose Bowl the number one venue in all of college sports. It may not be the toughest place to play for visitors of the UCLA Bruins, but no one can deny its historical significance and place in American sports.
The stadium will undergo a $150 million renovation following the 2011 Rose Bowl, but not matter the alterations or improvements, the Rose Bowl stadium makes the actual game that much better.
The Parade
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The Tournament of Roses Parade traces back all the way to 1890. In fact, the college football game was originally added in 1902 to supplement funding costs to stage the parade.
Watched by hundreds of thousands of spectators and millions more on television, the Tournament of Roses Parade is along a route that is five and a half miles along featuring horses, floats and bands. The 2010 parade also featured a flyover by four F-18 jets.
In essence, the Tournament of Rose Parade has just as much if not more historical roots than the actual Rose Bowl game. While today most sports fans clearly look forward to the game, the parade provides even more meaning to the Rose Bowl.
The Weather
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Most of the BCS Championship series games are in warm climates, an aspect of the games that is particularly important in January. Miami, Glendale and New Orleans can hardly be called harsh climates for football in January.
On the other hand, Southern California just can't be beat when it comes to weather.
The forecast for the game this Saturday is partly cloudy with temperatures in the low 60's. I can't imagine better football weather than that.
The History
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There is a reason that the Rose Bowl is called "The Granddaddy of Them All." The celebration of the Rose Bowl is one that dates back to over one century ago.
As aforementioned, the stadium has hosted numerous famous historical events over the last 87 years. The parade dates back to even before the stadium was built.
More importantly, the game has featured some of the best Big Ten versus Pac Ten matchups in college football history. Whether it has been Ohio State, USC, Michigan, UCLA or any of the other prestigious programs, the Rose Bowl always offers competitive, interesting games that capture public attention.
The Big Ten Versus Pac Ten Tradition
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Well, this year we don't get the Big Ten versus Pac Ten matchup; however, we still get a Big Ten representative in Wisconsin.
Unlike the Orange Bowl which has featured some weak, inconsistent Big East representatives, the Rose Bowl generally promises a tradition of two excellent teams.
The Big Ten and Pac Ten are two of the more consistently talented conferences in college football. Consequently, the Rose Bowl generally features more skilled, better matched teams.
Even if we don't get it this year, the Rose Bowl builds on the tradition of this conference matchup which is unparalleled by any other bowl game.
The Timing
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The Rose Bowl is usually played on January 1st, a national holiday. As a result, the game can be watched worldwide without viewers worrying about work or other obligations.
Also, with the game usually played as an early afternoon game, the Rose Bowl provides the best opportunity out of any of the bowl games for the classic barbecue.
The National Championship may be played at night, but it does not lend itself to easy carefree watching. The New Years Day aspect of the Rose Bowl definitely adds to the prestige of the game and allows for everyone to watch.
The Prestige
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The Rose Bowl is simply the most prestigious of all the BCS games. The game is the oldest bowl game in college football and was where it all began.
There may be some great Orange Bowls. The Oklahoma-Boise State Fiesta Bowl was one of the best games in the history of sports. However, the Rose Bowl will always one up the others especially with the memorable Vince Young performance of the 2006 Rose Bowl.
The game has changed over the years, but the prestige of it remains the same. The Rose Bowl is and always will be "The Granddaddy of Them All."
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