Taking a Closer Look at the Impressive USC Win Over Michigan in the Rose Bowl

The USC Trojans College Rose Bowl game against Michigan Wolverines was ripe with controversy right from the beginning. Michigan players and coach Lloyd Carr though that his team was cheated off a national title game against Ohio State since its only loss of the season came in its last game of the season against Ohio State which was the number one team in the nation at the time and still is.

Meanwhile, the Florida Gators had 1 loss to a team that was not the number one team in the nation and many players on Michigan felt that they deserved another shot at Ohio State. Florida players and coach Urban Meyer believed that Michigan had their shot to beat Ohio State and lost. Now it was Florida's chance to knock off the undefeated Buckeyes.

However, when it came down to the actual game against the University of Southern California, the Michigan Wolverines forgot to bring their best game against one of the nation's best teams. From start to finish the Trojans dominated the Wolverines on both sides of the ball. Michigan came into this game with one of the nation's best defenses ranked in the top 10 in the country. USC's defense was ranked number 42 in the nation. Michigan was the team that was supposed to have the better defense but that hardly showed in this game. Trojans coach Pete Carroll blitzed Michigan quarterback Chad Henne all game and the Michigan running attack was virtually nonexistent throughout the game.

The Wolverines only scored 17 points and wide receiver Manningham on Michigan did not have a great game either. The Trojans double covered Manningham and didn't give Chad Henne enough time to throw the ball deep down the field to him. In this Rose Bowl game, the day and game and glory belonged to USC.

USC had lost their two starting running backs including the elusive Reggie Bush and their quarterback Matt Leinart. However, John David Booty played one of his best games of the season against this tough Michigan defense.

Most of USC's starters will return next season including their quarterback John David Booty. The Trojans will definitely be ranked as one of the top 5 teams in the nation next year. USC will miss the absence of their two wide receivers: senior Steve Smith and junior Dwayne Jarret who will almost certainly declare for the NFL draft. Michigan's Manningham will also declare for the NFL draft and will be a top 10 pick for sure. Still, these two powerhouses who have dominated football for decades will be back again next year.