Rose Bowl Wrap-Up
All I can say is… I have now seen the pinnacle of college football. I’ve never been more convinced that the Rose Bowl is the finest college football bowl setting you can experience… And it’s not because Ohio State won the game.
The scene in Pasadena blends the game’s best traditions with modern day showmanship and flair. The crowd was probably slightly more Buckeye partisan, but Oregon was extremely well represented. It’s stunning that so many people would pony up the cash for plane tickets, hotel, meals and game tickets these days… But after being here I get it now. Imagine a bowl game played in an Upper Arlington neighbood-that’s kind of the setting near the Rose Bowl stadium. A golf course sits next door, and gorgeous homes and neighborhoods rest in the hills surrounding it. The parade just starts the day-and that parade attracts an entirely massive crowd of its own. The color, the spirit, the excitment in that town-you can’t help but get on board.
Then the scene surrounding the stadium-to be honest it’s more corporate than my tastes, but fans find their own ways to rally. It’s when you walk into that massive bowl that it hits you-you’re a part of a special day.
As for the game-you watched it-Ohio State controlled the line of scrimmage and time of possession and turned the ball over just once. That’s an ideal Jim Tressel recipe. Pryor made some clutch throws, but his 3rd down conversions with his feet were just devastating to Oregon. The on-field celebration was clearly 3 years in the making… Wild. Brian Rolle actually said to me on the field “this confetti’s finally for us… Sweet!“
