Rose Bowl Game Means Everything to Buckeyes, Ducks

The Rose Bowl game is still called the Granddaddy Of Them All, but this year, the Rose Bowl game is only the second best game in Pasadena. In six days, the BCS title game will be held there, so today's matchup is just a warmup, and a consolation for two teams that wanted more. The Ohio State Buckeyes always want more, and most expect them to fall short nowadays. On the other hands, the Oregon Ducks came from the worst start imaginable to make school history. Today's Rose Bowl game means a lot to Ohio State and Oregon, but for different reasons.

Ohio State is used to BCS trips, but this is their first visit to the Rose Bowl since 1997. By now, their recent history in big games is the stuff of infamy, though this year wasn't so bad. The Buckeyes lost an early test to USC - who didn't turn out so good later on - but come into today on a roll, having rallied to take their fifth straight Big 10 title.

The Oregon Ducks aren't used to championships of any kind, and didn't look likely to get it this year. After an embarrassing, scandalous loss to Boise State in the opener, Oregon's high hopes looked finished. But they only lost once the rest of the year, and have gotten to their second Rose Bowl game in school history.

For the first time in five years, the Rose Bowl doesn't have USC involved. However, the stereotypes of the Pac-10 and Big 10 are still overshadowing the game. Given Oregon's speed and running attack, and Ohio State's past history, a Big 10 champion is expected to be blown out again by the Pac-10 champion. No Big 10 team has won this game in 10 years, since Wisconsin did it on New Years Day 2000.

If tradition was a factor, then the Buckeyes would be a massive favorite over the Ducks. However, recent tradition is the problem for Ohio State, while Oregon has been one of the best teams in the last few months. This is their chance to arrive on the national stage under rookie Chip Kelly, while the Buckeyes have yet another chance to return to true elite status.

The 96'th edition of the Rose Bowl game is the first one of the 2010 BCS schedule. The stadium will also close the BCS schedule, when Texas and Alabama play for the title on Thursday. Although it has hosted two national championship games in the past, this is the first year in which the Rose Bowl hosts two games in the final week.

For the first time, the Granddaddy Of Them All has to share the spotlight in Pasadena. But the Rose Bowl game still has the pageantry, and the conference bragging rights, to mean something even in the BCS era. The Buckeyes and Ducks run for the Roses at 5 pm est on ABC.

Sources

Seattle Post Intelligencer- "Buckeyes battle Ducks in Rose Bowl"

Pasadena Star-News- "Good to see Ohio State back in the Rose Bowl"