The First (of Many) Rose Bowl Posts

We all knew that coming into this past weekend's slate of games that if the USC Trojans took care of business against their cross-town rivals from UCLA that a Penn State-USC Rose Bowl was all but certain.

While Mike Patrick of ESPN (ABC) tried to convince you that the Trojans had an outside shot at the BCS Championship game invitation riding on their game we all knew that it was Rose Bowl or bust for Pete Carroll's team.

And with a solid victory that is the case. Penn State's opponent in the Rose Bowl will be USC.

My initial thought is that the Trojans will prevail in the game but I see no reason why Penn State can not win the game. Penn State has play makers and play stoppers. So does USC. USC gets the national spotlight based on their strong seasons this decade.

Players like Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, and Reggie Bush are some of the guys who have given the Trojans much of their success. While it is fun to watch them beat up on teams like Ohio State, Michigan, and Notre Dame, it is time to make a stand against these guys.

Vince Young and Texas may have had the last laugh in the championship game a few years ago, but USC continues to bring in top-rated recruits and entire classes of blue chippers.

To me, USC has become the new Miami Hurricanes. They may not be thugs like the Jimmy Johnson-era 'Canes, but I believe that they have become the new team that everybody wants a piece of.

Trojans fans and beat reporters will likely tell you that this is "just another Rose Bowl." They have come to expect national championships and attempt to excuse a loss (on the road) and make a case that they would be a favorite against anybody they play.

The players and coaches may not tell you that but you have to wonder if that is a feeling brewing inside them. The Trojans were one score away from being in the championship game.

So was Penn State.

While USC and their players get national spotlights and hype, Penn State plays it cool and under the radar. Perhaps the loss to Iowa will help Penn State players and coaching staff more than any thing USC has done this year.

Losing to Iowa dashed all of the national spot light from them, allowing them to finish strong and wrap up the Big Ten crown and enjoy the smell of roses while nobody was looking. If there is a lesson to be learned from this season it is not to take anything for granted.

This Penn State team will not just be happy to be in Pasadena and get great seats for the Jay Leno show and enjoy the rides in Disneyland.

This team was set to win a national championship. This team is set to send a message and earn respect. This team is set to continue the turn around of the football program. This team wants the Rose Bowl championship. This team is one to be reckoned with.

USC will be up to the task. They have great players and terrific coaching. Anyone who thinks otherwise is crazy. This will be a very tough task for the Nittany Lions, but not an impossible one.

As we get closer to the Rose Bowl there will be many discussions on hand and analyzing the teams. Stay tuned.