Somewhere along the way, the NFL lost me.

I can hear the voice of the retired Keith Jackson right now in that deep and distinctive voice “It’s the Granddaddy of ‘em all”.

That’s the truth. In fact USC beat Penn State 14-3 in 1923 in what was then called the Tournament of Roses game. Fast forward to January 1, 2009. This years Rose Bowl games features #4 USC again #6 Penn State. The pressure is on the Trojans who are making their fourth straight Rose Bowl appearance. They’re favored by nine points in what is virtually a home game for them. An SC victory would give the Pac-Ten a perfect 5-0 record in the post-season.

Both teams were one score shy from playing for the national title. USC had its annual clunker against Oregon State while Penn State lost to Iowa on a last second field goal. Defenses are likely to dominate today. The Trojan D headed by future NFL stars Rey Maualuga, Brian Cushing and Taylor Mays allowed the fewest points per game in the nation at 7.8 ppg No team has given up fewer points or total yards per game (206.1). The average of 122.8 passing yards allowed is particularly impressive because it’s nearly 37 better than any other team even though most of USC’s opponents had to throw a lot after falling well behind.

Don’t sell the Nittany Lions short went talking about defense. Penn State has been tough to score on as well allowing just 12.4 ppg. I’m already thinking UNDER!. I do share the belief of that a good defense will beat a good offense (unless that offense is Oklahoma's).

On offense Penn State is averaging just over 40 points and USC 37.5. Both players have talented QB’ in Daryl Clark and Mark Sanchez. Clark has completed 60 percent of his passes for 2,139 yards. He’s also thrown for 17 touchdowns vs. just four picks.

If your a “stataholic” you’ll need these impressive numbers. Trojan signal-caller Mark Sanchez had a 159.1 quarterback rating, throwing for 30 touchdowns and 2,794 yards.Whether he’ll have the time to throw is another question. The rushing games are good for both teams. Penn States Evan Royster has gained 1,202 yards this season while the “tailback by committee” which includes Joe McKnight, Stafon Johnson and C.J. Gable have combined to rush for 1,892 yards and 19 TD’s.

The two teams had one common opponent this year- Oregon State. The Nittany Lions destroyed the Beavers 45-14 back in September.

If your looking at which team is hotter coming into this years game, USC has won nine straight and that includes three shutouts and only one game in which their defense allowed more than ten points.

The line opened at USC -9 ½ and is still in that general vicinity. The total is set at 45 ½.

70 degree temperatures, clear skies and a light breeze are forecast for Pasadena. It will be one of those chamber of commerce days that will get everyone in cold weather destinations.

USC’s defense is playing for a place in history, More than a few College experts believe that if the Trojans can put the clamps on Penn State’s spread offense, these Trojan defenders could go down as one of the best squads ever. They’ll be ready and while a shutout probably isn’t in the cards, Penn State will be lucky to score 17. Take this game to go UNDER the total. USC wins and covers giving the big ten another post-season spanking.

This isn’t the bowl that Oregon State was hoping for but the Beavers have only themselves to blame. Oregon State was one victory away from the Pac-10 championship and a ticket to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl. However Oregon State was blown out at home by Oregon and had to settle for a lower tier bowl.

The Ducks may have their leading rusher Jaquizz Rodgers back for tonight’s tilt with Pitt but his avaialibility is expected to be a game time decision. Rodgers, who was named the Pac-Ten’s offensive player of the year, missed the season finale against Oregon leaving the Beavers with a big case of “what if”.

If Rodgers can play, then fans will be treated to seeing the top two young running backs in the country. Pitt’s LeSean McCoy set a Big East freshman record by running for 1,328 yards last season. McCoy was even better this season running for 1,403 yards and 21 touchdowns— tied for the second-most in the nation.

Pitt rolls into the game fresh off its first nine-win season in 26 years. Oregon State comes in at 8-4 and about as inconsistent as they come. The Ducks lost their first two games to Stanford and Penn State, then beat Hawaii and USC to begin a six game conference winning streak

Oregon State (8-4) also got off to a rocky start, dropping its first two games at Stanford and Penn State. But the Beavers got a taste of what Rodgers could provide, as he scored twice against the Nittany Lions and two more times the following week in a win over Hawaii. That put the Ducks in posistion to wrap up the conference title and head to their first Rose Bowl. But Rodgers got hurt a week earlier against Arizona and without him Oregon State was outrushed by 300 yards against Oregon.

The game could come down to which quarterback makes the fewest mistakes. OSU’s Lyle Moevao has benefited from the tutelage of quarterback guru and head coach Mike Riley while Pitt quarterback Bill Stull, threw nine touchdowns in 11 games,but was rarely put in a posistion of a “must pass” situation, now with McCoy leading the way. Oregon State is 4-0 in bowl games under Riley. The line opened at OSU -3 and is now Beavers -2 ½. The total is set at 51 ½. Clear skies and tempratures in the 60’s are forecast for today's game in El Paso.

With so many games this post-season staying UNDER the total, I’m reluctant to even use the word “shootout”. However if this game follows the script of previous Holiday Bowl games, get ready for, dare I say, a “shootout” as Oregon battles Oklahoma State tonight in San Diego.

From a historic perspective, Cowboy’s coach Mike Gundy will become the first person to play and coach in a Holiday Bowl. He was the MVP in 1988 when Oklahoma State crushed Wyoming 62-14. Gundy would love to see a repeat, this time as a head coach.

If ANY game this post-season is going to light up the scoreboard this is going to be the one. Oregon averages 41.9 points per game while Oklahoma State is scoring to the tune of 41.6 ppg. Running the ball is the bread and butter for both teams. The Ducks have put up over 3,300 yards on the ground and the Cowboys aren’t far behind with nearly 3,100 rushing yards. These teams are eerily similar in many respects.

Both teams boast explosive players. Oregon has a one-two punch at running back lead by Jeremiah Johnson (not to be confused by Grizzly Adams). Johnson finished the regular season with 12 touchdowns and 1,082 rushing yards. LeGarrette Blount, a JC transfer, set a Ducks record with 16 rushing TD’s.

Oregon finished the regular season on a three-game winning streak, averaging nearly 52 points per game along the way. Sophomore QB Jeremiah Masoli, led the way during the streak with 716 passing yards, featuring six TD’s and no picks. He also rushed for four touchdowns. Masoli could light up the San Diego sky against an Oklahoma State pass defense that ranks 110 out of 119 Football Bowl Subdivision teams (formally 1A).

Zac Robinson passed for 2,735 yards with 24 TDs and eight interceptions this season for Oklahoma State. He’ll be facing an Oregon defense that is 108th in the nation against the pass. If the Cowboys need to run the ball they’ll turn to Kendall Hunter who led the Big-12 in rushing with over 1,500 yards and is averaging nearly 127 yards per game.

Weather won’t be an issue tonight. It’s expected to be cool and partly cloudy, a perfect night for football by the bay.

Oklahoma State opened as a 3 point favorite. The Cowboys are now 2 ½ point picks with the total set at 76.

Will THIS be the night that a game lives up to it’s billing as a “shootout”? In it’s last game, Oregon and Oregon State combined for 103 points. In it’s last outing, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State combined for 101 points. I’ll be happy with something in the neighborhood.

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