Sam Darnold. Photo courtesy Tournament of Roses By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor Who: Penn State (11-2) vs USC (9-3) When: January 2, 2017 Where: The Rose Bowl, 2 p.m. TV: ESPN Two iconic schools meet up Monday afternoon in Pasadena, when USC takes on Penn State at the Rose Bowl at 2 p.m. Penn State (11-2), […]
Sam Darnold. Photo courtesy Tournament of Roses
By Brian Reed-Baiotto, Sports Editor
Who: Penn State (11-2) vs USC (9-3)
When: January 2, 2017
Where: The Rose Bowl, 2 p.m.
TV: ESPN
USC Coach Clay Helton and PSU Coach James Franklin
Two iconic schools meet up Monday afternoon in Pasadena, when USC takes on Penn State at the Rose Bowl at 2 p.m.
Penn State (11-2), ranked No. 5 in the country, comes into this showdown on a 9-game win streak, including a 38-31 comeback victory over Wisconsin in the Big 10 championship game.
The Nittany Lions were down 21, but rallied for an emotional victory.
USC has won 8 consecutive games since starting 1-3, and coach Clay Helton’s decision to switch quarterback’s was a game or better yet, a season changer.
Former San Clemente High’s Sam Darnold has been spectacular.
Darnold has completed a remarkable 213 of 313 passes for 2, 633 yards. He’s thrown for 26 TD passes and has been picked off 8 times.
Trace McSorley calls the shots for PSU.
McSorley had 3,360 yards passing, and has thrown for 25 TD’s and just 5 interceptions.
USC’s last Rose Bowl victory was in 2008, when the Trojans defeated these same Nittany Lions by a score of 38-24.
Penn State’s last Rose Bowl title came 22 years ago when the Nittany Lions decimated Oregon, 38-20.
A hidden stat worth watching is how well Penn State hangs with the Trojans in the first 30 minutes.
USC has outscored opponents 235-100 in the first half of their 12 games, and in the second half, the Trojans have a minus-6-point disadvantage.
While USC is favored by 6.5 points in Las Vegas, and the over-under is 62 points, we thought we’d ask our local prep football coaches for their take on the big game.
La Salle’s Russell Gordon: USC is extremely athletic and has found ways to spread the ball around to their athletes and keep defense’s off-balance. My worry is the secondary has been exposed at times. USC has the 29th-ranked rushing defense in the country and the 37th rushing offense. Penn State won the Big 10 against Wisconsin and did not get the berth they felt they deserved. Even with the new up-tempo offense, PSU’s strength is their running game, and they are not in the top 50 in the country, which is a problem. Saquon Barkley is a special player with over 1,300 yards rushing in a great conference. USC will win the time of possession battle and focus on shutting down Barkley, which will lead to a Trojans victory.
Prediction: USC 31, PSU 28
Bosco Tech’s Branden Jones: The Trojans strength lies in the athletes on both sides of the ball. Penn State won the best conference in college football and has some great come- from-behind victories. Both teams overcame slow starts to their season to make it to the ‘Grand Daddy’ of them all. USC will beat Penn State. The Nittany Lions have had a poor showing in the first half and will dig themselves in too big of a hole to come back from. This is also a glorified home game for the Trojans.
Prediction: USC 34, PSU 21
St. Francis’ Jim Bonds: I think USC’s overall athleticism is their No. 1 strength. They are also playing great football at the end of the season. Penn State has played a tough conference schedule, tougher than USC’s this year. That will have them ready for the Rose Bowl. I think USC wins because of their overall team speed and Adoree Jackson.
Prediction: USC 31, PSU 24
Maranatha’s Steve Bogan: I don’t know much about Penn State, other than the quarterback (McSorley) was spot on last game, and I love how the program had survived some unfair treatment. (those who got punished and did no wrong). As far as USC is concerned, they too have survived “excessive” punishment by the NCAA. Having said that, my dad was a USC Alum, and a former player of mine, Jaron Fairman, was a (graduate assistant) coach there, so I am a little biased. Nevertheless, If Darnold continues to spread the ball around and extend plays, if the running game continues to impress, if the defense continues to “dial up” creative pressures, and the Baxter-led special teams play “special,” USC wins. If two of those do not happen, and the Penn State quarterback is “hot,” everything changes.
Prediction: USC 38, PSU 31
Poly’s Chris Schmoke: I don’t follow either team and have not seen much of either, but I would guess USC wins based on talent. I think having a month to prepare helps Penn State narrow the gap, but it won’t be enough.
Prediction: USC 37, PSU 14
The Rose Bowl Since 2000:
January 1, 2016 Rose Bowl – Stanford 45, Iowa 16
January 1, 2015 Rose Bowl – Oregon 59, Florida State 20
January 1, 2014 Rose Bowl – Michigan State 24, Stanford 20
January 1, 2013 Rose Bowl – Stanford 20, Wisconsin 14
January 2, 2012 Rose Bowl – Oregon 45, Wisconsin 38
January 1, 2011 Rose Bowl – TCU 21, Wisconsin 19
January 1, 2010 Rose Bowl – Ohio State 26, Oregon 17
January 1, 2009 Rose Bowl – USC 38, Penn State 24
January 1, 2008 Rose Bowl – USC 49, Illinois 17
January 1, 2007 Rose Bowl – USC 32, Michigan 16
January 4, 2006 Rose Bowl – Texas 41, USC 38
January 1, 2005 Rose Bowl – Texas 38, Michigan 37
January 1, 2004 Rose Bowl – USC 28, Michigan 14
January 1, 2003 Rose Bowl – Oklahoma 34, Washington State 14
January 3, 2002 Rose Bowl – Miami (Florida) 37, Nebraska 14
January 1, 2001 Rose Bowl – Washington 34, Purdue 24
January 1, 2000 Rose Bowl – Wisconsin 17, Stanford 9
By The Numbers:
Scoring Per Game: PSU 38; USC 32
Points Allowed Per Game: PSU 23; USC 22
Total Yards Per Game: PSU 430; USC 469
Yards Allowed Per Game: PSU 352; 359
