I’m hearing a lot of people say this was the greatest Rose Bowl ever. Here’s why it wasn’t: Nothing was at stake compared the USC-Texas BCS title game. Even in 1963, it was No. 1 USC vs. No. 2 Wisconsin. If USC were playing for a berth in the College Football Playoff, then maybe it would be the greatest.
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As if SW’s opinion even matters.
It’s the USC fans that run this board and supply it with its heart and soul. Without us, this blog is nothing.
Today’s Rose Bowl is one of the greatest pure wins, regardless of the consequences, in the history of the college game. Any fool could see that.
Fight on! We own L.A. And for tonight, USC owns the world of college football too. If you get a chance, watch the Pac-12 Network (SW doesn’t have access) because it shows what the players who won tonight feel about USC and why USC is what it is.
52-49!
well said
GOAT. Here’s why. USC has been down since before Carroll left. Sanction decimated the roster. It was running on reputation and hit rock bottom when Sark was fired for being drunk on the job. Coach Helton’s first full season started off looking bad, 3-1. He made the right move replacing MB with SD and things turned around fast, not just the season the team mentality changed. They finish winning the Rose Bowl out performing 2 of the 4 teams in the CFP, beating the B1G champion. Helton finishes with the 2nd best 1st year performance and finish of any coach in USC history. Rose Bowl Champions and they deserve the #3 final pole ranking. Only John Robinson finished better, and he had a much better situation.
I would agree with you Wolfe, in terms of combined quality of game combined with importance of game.
But for sheer entertainment value and wild swings in momentum and dramatic plays and finish, this one’s gotta be near the top.
Wolfie, We lost the 2006 Rose Bowl Game. may it rest in peace. The 1963 Wisc-USC Rose Bowl Game was a pain in the butt in the second half. SW, In my adult football fan lifetime, beginning in 1958 at the Oregon-Ohio State Rose Bowl Game, today’s Trojan victory is by far the most exciting, the most important of them all. Put this 2017 Rose Bowl Game at the top of your list, Wolfman.
How in God’s name would you know if the 1963 Rose Bowl was better than this one? I know you’re heartless but don’t think you’re a vampire.
I saw both games and this was more spectacular. SC led for almost the entire ’63 game and managed to hold on barely to win. The Trojans never had to rally. Winning was just a relief. It was that game that made me a Trojan fan, in fact, so I should be biased in favor of it.
But this game today was just wild in terms of its swings and many more exciting plays. USC had to claw its way back to victory despite the refs and the loss of some of our most critical players. This will go down in history as the greatest Rose Bowl ever played IMHO, though all TEXAS fans would choose the Vince Young affair.
Finally, that TEXAS monkey is off our back.
One of the two best that the Trojans won. The 1975
RB was a great last second victory gong for the two pt. conversion with no overtime in those days. This one was great for the fantastic comeback when team looked dead in the water winning without an OT. Pendergast was a sham giving up 52 in the first game and 49 in the last game of the season. The Texas game was for the National Title which had more significance than a pure Rose Bowl. It just happened to be played in Pasadena that year. The Monkey is still there for sure although a victory would have been nullified because of sanctions .
Speaking of the Texas game, I’d LOVE to see us kick their derriere in a NC game in the next few years to return the favor. I still feel that we were screwed big time in that one.
Here’s our revenge: USC will win the national title this next season and Darnold will win the Heisman.
I was at the ’74 nd game and the ’75 ohio st rose bowl game. When Shelton Diggs caught the two point conversion and sealed the national championship, that was awesome. Don’t forget Charlie White’s drive against Ohio St. Eight times he carred the ball behind Munoz. I would rank the ’74 nd and the ’75 rose bowl as 1 and 1A. last night was around the top 3, in my opinion.
It ranks as a complete victory for a USC team that was left for dead.
The D was bad tonight. But Penn State is a great team. SC pulled it out! FIGHT ON!!!!
This was the greatest ever! I was there…trust me. Truly unbelievable! Fight the F on!!!
Why does it matter if you were there or not.? Guess nobody else saw the game around the country. The fact of the matter is the great comeback vs. Notre Dame in 1974 was the best ever with everyone standing the whole second half. Trust me on that making that Rose Bowl for the National Title.
Just my opinion old timer… Don’t poop your diaper.
I don’t think that the importance of this game will be determined for a while. Both of these teams fought and made big play after big play. It was the most exciting Rose Bowl I’ve ever seen (seen them all since the mid 80s).
The reason I say that this game could become more important is because of the fact that the Trojans were left for dead by the NCAA (PSU was too). They are still recovering and building like Lynn Swann said. A win like tonight’s could be a turning point for the program historically and could be the beginning of a great run for Clay Helton and company. I hope it is.
I also think that it is important because of the way that the team fought back and didn’t give up. I think someone commented earlier that, historically speaking, SC hasn’t been a great come from behind team- save a few exceptions. PSU was arguably the hottest team in the country and undoubtedly the best fourth quarter team. SC flipped all of that. Amazing, Amazing, Sensational game.
Clown. It only took 54 years of history and a National Championship to say that this wasn’t great. Go back to reporting on people who (allegedly) don’t go to games because they can’t get soda lids. Can’t wait to hear about FAU and Pitt next season.
And the Coliseum is the Rose Bowl and the ground doesn’t radiate heat,right moron ?
I’m not sure where this ranks, but it was truly an amazing game. I think the only thing that could have had made it more exciting was if the Trojans were major underdogs. That’s nitpicking though.
People who have actually played in a Rosebowl game are saying it. You’re just a jaded beat writer obsessed with grown men
It was a great game wherever you want to rank it.
For sheer excitement and drama, this could be # 1.
I know USC – Texas had more at stake but this was as much fun to watch.
yeah and admit it marvienna, because we won
Yes, also because we won.
Fight On!
A classic for the ages and Stanford, ucla and Notre Dame know it . Oh how they know it
It’s been 6 plus years since Paul Dee’s/NCAA kangaroo court ruling
Texas/USC Rose = #1; Penn State/USC 2017 Rose = #2. Based on stakes, tonight’s game can’t beat the Vince Young Bowl, but otherwise, it was terribly exciting… Order restored.
You can’t handle the truth…I would rather you just said, “Thank you,” and went on your way.
The Blogger’s worst nightmare last night – an exciting game and a USC victory.
By your definition, then, Scott, any Rose Bowl in which the national championship was at stake was automatically better.
And that makes as little sense as anything (and everything) else you write.
Always with the negative waves……….
Bravo to Blogger. He’s really had to reach way down to be a wet towel on this game, and he’s finding a way. We are really witnessing a true expert at his craft at work.
My 2-cents worth regarding ranking Rose Bowl games, and I have seen them all:
1. 1975 18-17 SC over Ohio State. The importance of the game matters, and the winner of this game had a chance to win the national championship, which SC did
2. 1963, again for the national championship
3. 2006, for the national championship
4. 2017, for pure excitement this is by far No. 1
This was the greatest USC football game of my lifetime, dating back to the 1970 season. Even if LenDale converted that 4th down, the Texas Rose Bowl wouldn’t have come close to this one for sheer excitement. I cried afterward because my grandfather (whose been gone for 3 years) wasn’t around to see this game.
I was giddy when Michael Hutchings made what has to be the defensive pivotal play of the year tackling their back for a loss. I knew more magic was going to happen.
I have watch almost every Rose Bowl since the mid 50’s as a young boy. I have not seen a game that was such an emotional roller coaster ride as this one. I went through every emotion i can think of in a 4 1/2 hour span. This is what sports are about, the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat. It was all there. The greatest Rose Bowl game? BY FAR THE GREATEST ROSE BOWL GAME OF MY LIFE. That is without having to qualify it in any way. Again, Wolf has removed himself from any concept of mainstream human thought or emotion, to try to shine as the one true realist. FAIL!!
This game wins because it took 5 hours to play. More of it to love!
I am surprised no one has brought up the 2005 Rose Bowl game. It was Vince Youngs coming out party and also had a similar finish with similar excitement. We all sadly remember what happened next year in 2006 when Young returned to the Rose Bowl and won the NC.
We can only hope history repeats itself for Sam Darnold and the Trojans.
On the second to last drive, on third down, after a QB scramble, how bout that throw/catch that went threw one Trojan receiver before JuJu caught it for a first down? Unbelievable, it took a play like that and it isn’t even the best play of the game or even that drive. Fight On!
It was the greatest Rose Bowl since the last time USC beat Penn St.