Michigan nor USC wanted to play in the Rose Bowl so why...?

Question

does it even matter? Michigan played with no emotion because the voters ripped out their hopes of playing in a meaningful game. Who gives a damn which team won the Rose Bowl if both teams didn't even wanna play this bowl in the first place.

Answer 1

i agree completely. however, Michigan should have just been grateful that they got a bowl game and played the way that they can play.

Answer 2

As Pete Carroll stated, at the beginning of the season, USC's goal is to play at the Rose Bowl; any other higher BCS Bowl game is gravy.

USC has played in the most Rose Bowl games, and has the best win record.

Although the national championship game would have been sweet, the Rose Bowl is no mere consolation prize.

Concerning Michigan, they had the 2005 Rose Bowl game loss against USC to avenge.

Further, they have played in the second most Rose Bowl games.

Both teams played their hearts out; do not let anyone tell you differently. Both defenses played extemely well in the first half, and both teams had to rely on their passing attack.

It became a game of Booty and his receivers, and Henne and his receivers. DJ and Steve Smith were men against boys in the second half, while the SC secondary pretty much stifled the Michigan receivers until they played "prevent defense" in the last few minutes of the game.

Answer 3

The bottom line is this:

Michigan had an opportunity to play for a national championship game, but they lost to Ohio State. Asking the newspapers to put them in a rematch game with a team that already beat them is asking a lot.

USC had a path to the championship game, but they stumbled. Losing to UCLA was unacceptable and everyone knows it.

The two teams had a lot to play for. With the win USC should win the #1 ranking for next year. Michigan was playing to not end the season with 2 consecutive losses for the 3rd season in a row. If neither team could get excited about playing, neither one of them should have been in a bowl game period.

Answer 4

They were playing for a possible #1 preseason ranking. And regardless everytime you strap on the pads you should be playing to win and not worrying about getting ripped off. SC didn't do that 3 years ago when they should've played in the championship, so what do they do? Go out and beat the snot out of Michigan. EVERY game is meaningful.

Answer 5

1. Damn, I guess USC bounced back. Makes you wonder how they lost to UCLA...

2. Michigan front seven? What about USC front seven? 14 yards rushing...

3. Last time: 9 sacks....This time: 6 sacks....hmm..

4. Just when I thought Pete Carroll was done, he makes us remember why he's one of the best coaches in the nation.

5. Maybe Dwayne Jarrett saw Calvin Johnson's performance earlier.

6. Matt Leinart was on the sideline and Booty probably wanted to show him up.

7. USC 2007 preseason #1? Oh crap...here we go again.

8. Now that talk about Michigan in the national title can finally die down.

Answer 6

playing in the rose bowl is still a great honor. It is the oldest and most famous of all bowl games.

Answer 7

Ah, the excuses start.

USC just proved Michigan didn't belong in the national title game, something the rest of us knew. Their offensive line was shredded by USC's D, and Duane Jarrett torched the Michigan secondary.

It's Lloyd Carr's fault he couldn't get them up for this game. Pete obviously got the Trojans up for it, and it showed.

Answer 8

Meanwhile Cal has been aching for a Rose Bowl berth.

If tehy had beaten USC, it would have been a different picture

Answer 9

It matters. Nobody ripped anything away. They're crybabies. They should have come back with avengence, but instead, their defense slept through the game.
GO USC!!!! USC deserved to win this one.