Penn State Nittany Lions

Penn State to Face a Pac 12 Foe in the Rose Bowl

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Penn Sate will be on a national stage in the Rose Bowl on January 2.

Although the snub from the College Football Playoff stings, Penn State was given a very nice consolation prize Sunday afternoon. After winning the Big Ten Championship over the Wisconsin Badgers, the Nittany Lions will represent the conference in the Rose Bowl.

The “Grandaddy of Them All” will feature the traditional matchup this year of the Big Ten versus the Pac 12.

Penn State’s opponent this year is the same that it was the last time the Nittany Lions made the trip to Pasadena. The Nittany Lions will go up against the Southern California Trojans. The two teams met in the 2009 version of the game. USC, led by quarterback Mark Sanchez, defeated the Nittany Lions 38-24.

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This should be a great matchup, as both teams are considered two of the hottest in the entire country.

Penn State won nine consecutive games and had a fantastic come-from-behind victory over Wisconsin in the Big Ten Championship. Quarterback Trace McSorley leads a high-powered offense that’s done nothing but improve as the season has gone on. Running back Saquon Barkley and a talented group of receivers also helps to give the Nittany Lions a very dangerous offense.

A healthy defense has bene much improved and will look to make a big statement in the Rose Bowl.

USC enters the contest riding an eight-game win streak. The Trojans finished at No. 9 in the final College Football Playoff rankings. They finished with an overall record of 9-3, including a win over No. 4 Washington. USC suffered losses to Stanford, Utah, and Alabama.

We will have plenty of preview coverage, including an in-depth look at the Trojans, leading up to the Rose Bowl on January 2.

Kickoff for the game is set for 5:00 p.m. ET.

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