Rose Bowl Possibilities: Penn State Likely to Play in Pasadena

Although Penn State looks like a sure thing for the Rose Bowl, the Nittany Lions could make an unexpected climb into one of the top two spots in the final BCS standings, when they're released on Dec. 7. If that happens, Penn State would advance to the BCS Championship Game, rather than the Rose Bowl. On Nov. 30, Penn State was ranked #8 in the BCS standings, making this scenario almost impossible.

Penn State has completed its regular season with an 11-1 overall record and a 7-1 mark in the Big Ten. Penn State finished tied with Ohio State in the Big 10 standings, but Penn State won the Big Ten tiebreaker after beating Ohio State head to head on Oct. 25 by a score of 13-6.

Pac-10

Oregon State and USC remain alive for the Pac-10 title and a Rose Bowl berth. Oregon can find itself in a three-way Pac-10 tiebreaker, but it cannot win the tie-breaker. USC leads the way at 7-1 in Pac-10 play, while Oregon and Oregon State both have completed conference play at 7-2. USC will play at UCLA Dec. 6. The possibilities include:

There's still a chance that USC could end up in the top two of the final BCS standings and end up in the BCS Championship Game, rather than being invited to the Rose Bowl. USC was ranked #5 in the BCS standings of Nov. 30.

Rose Bowl Game

The 95th Rose Bowl Game will be played Jan. 1, 2009, at 2 p.m. Pacific time (5 p.m. Eastern) in Pasadena, Calif. ABC TV will broadcast the game, as will ESPN radio.

Penn State last played in the Rose Bowl in 1995, when the Nittany Lions defeated Oregon 38-20 to complete an undefeated season.

Oregon State has not played in the Rose Bowl since 1965, when the Beavers lost to Michigan 34-7. Oregon State last won a Rose Bowl in 1942, defeating Duke 20-16.

USC has played in the last two Rose Bowls, defeating Illinois 49-17 in 2008 and defeating Michigan 32-18 in 2007. USC has made a record 32 Rose Bowl appearances, winning a record 23 times.

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Nov 23, 2008 6:39 AM

Guest :

One scenerio you left out regarding the Pac 10. If Oregon beats Oregon State and UCLA beats USC then there would be a three way tie for first. Winning against the fourth place team then would break the tie. However if Washington beats Califonia and Arizona beats Arizona State, then Arizona would be the fourth place team because of beating Cal. Arizona beat Oregon State which leaves USC and Oregon. Oregon goes to Rose Bowl because they have not been since 1995.

Nov 23, 2008 8:10 AM

Kyle Schurman :

That would be correct, except Oregon State edged Arizona with that last-second field goal Saturday. So the best Oregon can do is tie for the league title.

Dec 1, 2008 9:52 AM

Guest :

If USC goes to the BCS Championship game, does Oregon go to the Rose Bowl by virtue of beating Oregon State?

Dec 1, 2008 10:54 AM

Kyle Schurman :

Oregon would not automatically go to the Rose Bowl in that scenario, as the Rose Bowl could invite any at-large team that's eligible for a BCS bowl. Oregon would have to be in the Top 14 of the BCS Standings to be eligible. As Oregon is #19 in the BCS right now, the Ducks have a lot of ground to make up, so it would appear unlikely.

There is a slim chance the at-large pool could be expanded to Top 18, especially if Missouri upsets Oklahoma, which would enhance Oregon's chances. However, it's highly unlikely the BCS will have to expand to the Top 18, as there should be enough eligible teams in the Top 14 to fill all of the at-large slots.

Dec 1, 2008 10:58 AM

Kyle Schurman :

Oregon would not automatically go to the Rose Bowl in that scenario, as the Rose Bowl could invite any at-large team that's eligible for a BCS bowl. Oregon would have to be in the Top 14 of the BCS Standings to be eligible. As Oregon is #19 in the BCS right now, the Ducks have a lot of ground to make up, so it would appear unlikely.
There is a slim chance the at-large pool could be expanded to Top 18, especially if Missouri upsets Oklahoma, which would enhance Oregon's chances. However, it's highly unlikely the BCS will have to expand to the Top 18, as there should be enough eligible teams in the Top 14 to fill all of the at-large slots.
Essentially, the Pac 10 is not guaranteed a Rose Bowl slot if the Pac 10 champion is in the BCS Championship Game. The Rose Bowl would have to pick among all eligible at-large teams, and if a Pac 10 teams is not eligible, then the Rose Bowl would have to look elsewhere.