Much is being made about how this year's Rose Bowl game is a matchup of the 2 hottest teams in college football - USC and Penn State. But, let's go a little deeper on what "hot" really means. After their first 4 games, USC and Penn State were 1-3 and 2-2 respectively. Since that time, both teams were able to run the table and finish the season unblemished. That is pretty impressive. Let's take a little bit of a closer look at that schedule.
USC beat: Arizona State (5-7), Colorado (10-3), Arizona (3-9), Cal (5-7), Oregon (4-8), Washington (12-1), UCLA (4-8) and Notre Dame (4-8)
USC beat a grand total of 2 teams with a winning record. Albeit, both teams are pretty good.
Penn State beat: Minnesota (8-4), Maryland (6-6), Ohio State (11-1), Purdue (3-9), Iowa (8-4), Indiana (6-6), Rutgers (2-10), Michigan State (3-9) and Wisconsin (10-3)
Penn State beat 6 teams that are playing in a bowl game this year and they beat 2 teams that are also pretty good - Ohio State and Wisconsin.
Yes, USC is hot. But, I would argue that is mainly because the Pac12 is not.
USC beat: Arizona State (5-7), Colorado (10-3), Arizona (3-9), Cal (5-7), Oregon (4-8), Washington (12-1), UCLA (4-8) and Notre Dame (4-8)
USC beat a grand total of 2 teams with a winning record. Albeit, both teams are pretty good.
Penn State beat: Minnesota (8-4), Maryland (6-6), Ohio State (11-1), Purdue (3-9), Iowa (8-4), Indiana (6-6), Rutgers (2-10), Michigan State (3-9) and Wisconsin (10-3)
Penn State beat 6 teams that are playing in a bowl game this year and they beat 2 teams that are also pretty good - Ohio State and Wisconsin.
Yes, USC is hot. But, I would argue that is mainly because the Pac12 is not.
Bowen will hurt as our LB corps lacks depth. Koa Farmer will need to step up, he's gotten a good bit of playing time and has had some good games but he's not yet where Bowens is
Blacknall is a big play guy and has had some good contribution. However, we are deep at WR and may not miss Blacknall as much as Bowen.
Either way it will be a great game in a great atmosphere. I was lucky enough to score some tickets and have never been to the Rose Bowl. Checking off a bucket list item for this game, PSU being in the game is a bonus for me.
Blacknall is a big play guy and has had some good contribution. However, we are deep at WR and may not miss Blacknall as much as Bowen.
Either way it will be a great game in a great atmosphere. I was lucky enough to score some tickets and have never been to the Rose Bowl. Checking off a bucket list item for this game, PSU being in the game is a bonus for me.
