Penn State and Southern California have faced each other just eight times.
Hardly a rivalry, you could argue. But that doesn't mean these two prestigious and decorated programs don't have a history. Far from it.
Their history dates back to 1923, when the two teams first faced each other in the Rose Bowl. USC took the title that year, upending the Nittany Lions, 14-3. It's a history with names like Marcus Allen, Jack Ham, O.J. Simpson and Franco Harris. It's a history with 13 combined national titles, dozens of NFL draft picks, and more than 1500 wins combined.
But history will be just that- history- come New Year's Day, when Penn State and USC will clash in the 2009 Rose Bowl. The legends from both schools will be briefly ignored, and the attention turned to those on the field who could one day become legends in their own right.
Penn State is entering its first Rose Bowl since 1995. The Lions finished the season with an impressive 11-1 record, with notable wins over fellow BCS representative Ohio State, as well as a pesky Oregon State team that rose up this season in the PAC-10. Penn State won its first nine games, and all signs pointed to a trip to Miami for the BCS national championship.
Those signs swiftly changed direction on Nov. 8, when conference rival Iowa ended the Lions' chance at perfection with a 24-23 win in Iowa City.
For the Trojans, however, the Rose Bowl is becoming a second home. This marks USC's seventh consecutive PAC-10 championship, and the Trojans' fourth Rose Bowl appearance in the last five seasons. USC also enters the game with an 11-1 record, with its only slip-up coming at the hands of the Beavers in Corvallis, Ore.
Both teams feature prolific offenses. Penn State is led by quarterback Daryll Clark, who was named the Big Ten's offensive player of the year. Clark has passed for 17 touchdowns, and thrown for more than 2000 yards this season, to lead a Lions offense averaging 40.2 points per game.
Penn State also features a number of offensive weapons, including running back Evan Royster, and a trio of senior wide receivers in Derrick Williams, Deon Butler, and Jordan Norwood.
USC quarterback Mark Sanchez is yet another in a continuing line of successful Trojan quarterbacks. The senior has tossed 30 touchdown passes, and is among the top ten in the country in efficiency with a rating of just under 160.
But while both teams feature high-powered offenses, this game will be about defense. No defense, maybe in the history of college football, has been better than this Trojan unit. USC has allowed a total of 86 points through the entire season, and holds the top ranking in college football for pass defense, scoring defense and total defense.
To find the heart and soul for USC's defense, look no further than middle linebacker Rey Maualuga. The senior leads the team in tackles with 73, and is known for his east-west running abilities. He is accompanied by outside linebacker Brian Cushing and the duo has been a big part in a defense which has allowed less than eight points a game.
Penn State features its own group of talented linebackers, however, which should give USC's offensive line some trouble. Expect defensive coordinator Tom Bradley to throw a number of varying blitz packages at Sanchez, featuring outside linebacker Navorro Bowman. Bowman emerged this season as one of the top threats in the Big Ten, and has a knack for ending up in opponents' backfields. Bowman has sharp timing skills off the ball, and will usually float toward the side of the ball where defensive end Aaron Maybin is matched up.
Penn State's Anthony Scirrotto and USC's Taylor Mays are two safeties who know how to anticipate reads, and know how to hit. Both quarterbacks will have to be careful about throwing any deep crossing routes, because any ball thrown too high or too far behind will likely leave the receiver in big trouble.
But no matter how much talent is on the field, the story always drifts toward the sidelines, where this game will feature two of the game's greatest coaches. One is known for his khaki pants, his coke-bottle-framed glasses, and his black Nikes. The other usually walks around in a USC sweatshirt, and gets famous alumnus to play pranks at practice. Though their styles may contrast, both Joe Paterno and Pete Carroll have found success, and with Paterno aiming to coach from the sidelines in next month's game, it will be another battle between these two teams.
The names and faces for both programs have changed, but the 2009 Rose Bowl will be yet another piece in Penn State and Southern California's history.
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