Rose Bowl: It’s all defense -- for the first 6 minutes

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In earlier posts, you could see that most USC and Penn State fans may not have agreed on the outcome. But most agreed it would be a close game for one reason.

Defense.

And that is how it played out for the first six minutes or so as both teams went through three-and-outs on the first three possessions.

Both teams, up to that point, lived up to their defensive reputations.

The Trojans, the best defensive team in the country, have allowed 11 touchdowns in 12 games, ranking No. 1 in scoring defense (7.8 points per game) and total defense (206.1 yards per game), and No. 5 in run defense (83.3 yards per game). The Trojans posted three shutouts and allowed only three points in three other contests. Only two opponents scored more than 10 points against USC, one of which was Oregon State.

Penn State is fifth in the nation in yards allowed per game (264) and is fourth in points allowed per game (12.4).

-- Mark Medina