(Entertainment-NewsWire.com, December 10, 2014 ) Pasadena, CA -- This classic match-up will likely see a number of stories about how this Rose Bowl game pits a classic villain team wearing black hats against a team riding in on white horses and wearing white hats. It's a match-up between a team so many people across the country arguably love to hate -- a team whose wins on the field have been somewhat overshadowed by team member controversy off the field; against a team led by a guy, some NFL coaches have reportedly said, "is too nice". Even though there are a cavalcade of contrasting comparisons to showcase between the two teams, the contrast between Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston will probably get a tremendous amount of national focus and be thoroughly debated on blogs, forums and literally, most anywhere you will find people passionate about college football, before game time. Ultimately, this is a match up between two name brand teams, led by two name brand quarterbacks.
If you love college football, this is the bowl game you want to be at on January 1st. Sure, watching Alabama host the Buckeyes in the Sugar Bowl, would be great. But, what are the odds you would ever get another chance to watch two Heisman Trophy Winners playing on the same college field at the same time? (Okay, at the time of this release, Marcus Mariota has not yet been given the trophy. However, is there any chance he won't get it? No!)
Whether you're a Duck fan or a Noles fan, there's a lot to be happy about. Both teams got into the final four and are making the first ever, College Football Playoffs. That is an historic achievement in itself. Amidst the contrasts and comparisons in this match-up though, both teams are likely to come into this game with something to prove; and possibly a chip on their shoulders, too.
If you're a Noles fan you probably aren't too happy about having to travel all the way across the country to play the Ducks in, essentially, a home game. But, if you are a Noles fan, this is the opportunity for the Noles to let the country know that winning 29 games straight was not a fluke; to let the country know that just because so many games were a struggle with so many unranked teams and coming from behind to overcome double digit deficits so many times wasn't simply a continuous string of unbelievably good luck. This is the first time in history these two teams have played each other. If the Noles are able to upset the No 2 ranked Ducks and stretch the string to 30 in a row, where would a Noles fan want to be watching the game from; a television in Florida, or in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena?
But what if you're a Duck fan? The Ducks are favored. The Ducks are hosting the Noles in essentially a home game. The Ducks have been on a roll, winning most of their games by double digits and routing the Wildcats in the Pac 12 Championship game. The Ducks are coming into the game, led by the best player in college football. What could the Ducks need to prove? Why a chip on their shoulder? Well, the Pac 12 doesn't get much respect by a substantial percent of coaches and fans from other conferences. All season long there have been a consortium of coaches, reporters and commentators who have continued to discount the Ducks defense; and there are those who are beating the drum saying Marcus Mariota is not NFL material and lacks talent and accuracy; and along with that there is the 'nice guys finish last' persona that goes with having a team leader who is a role model. Of course, if you're a Duck fan and the Ducks beat the Noles in the Rose Bowl, the Ducks still won't get national respect until they play and beat an SEC team for the championship. Winning the Rose Bowl won't change the team and players' perceived good image. Winning the Rose Bowl might give the Ducks defense a little more credibility. But regardless of what winning won't change, it will still feel really great if you are in the stadium watching the game live and get to see the Ducks stop the FSU 29 game winning streak and get an opportunity to play for the National Championship. But, if you don't already have your tickets; and with the knowledge that the Rose Bowl has sold out every year since 1947, you might want to check to see if you can even get Rose Bowl tickets now.
Early polling would seem to indicate that a large portion of the country would like to see the Oregon Ducks play Alabama on January 15th. The road to that championship game for the Ducks requires they put an end to the FSU Seminoles 29 game winning streak, at the Rose Bowl on January 1st. Likewise, in order for Alabama to play the Oregon Ducks for the National Championship, Alabama has to get past the Ohio Buckeyes; to set the stage for the highly anticipated NCAA College Football National Championship Game to be played in Arlington, TX. If you don't already have your tickets and are unable to get tickets to the Rose Bowl before they sell out, it looks like there are still some good seats to be had for the NCAA College Football National Championship Game.
About Rose Bowl Stadium:
A National Historic Landmark built in 1922 and known mainly for the New Year's Tournament of Roses Football Game, the Rose Bowl Stadium has also earned its World-Class Reputation by hosting five NFL Super Bowl Games, the 1984 Olympic Soccer Matches, the 1994 Men's World Cup, the 1999 Women's World Cup, the 2002, 2006 and 2010 BCS National College Football Championship Games and numerous other memorable events over the past eighty plus years.
