Rose Bowl analysis: USC vs. Penn State
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What will be the deciding factor in tomorrow’s Rose Bowl game? The Times’ Gary Klein provides a breakdown of the key elements: coaching, defense, offense, special teams.
For example, when USC’s pass offense goes up against Penn State’s pass defense, the odds still may be with the Trojans. As Gary writes:
‘Quarterback Mark Sanchez has thrown for 30 touchdowns with 10 interceptions and has completed 64% of his passes. Damian Williams and Patrick Turner are the main targets, though Williams has a shoulder injury that limited his practice time. Ronald Johnson was a deep threat early in the season. [Aaron] Maybin, an All-American, has 12 sacks. Penn State’s starting secondary consists of four seniors, but the Nittany Lions have not faced a receiving corps as big as the Trojans’. Cornerback Lydell Sargeant has four interceptions.’
Read the rest of his breakdown, and his prediction.
-- Debbie Goffa