MICHIGAN STATE AND STANFORD TO PLAY IN HISTORIC 100TH ROSE BOWL GAME PRESENTED BY VIZIO
PASADENA, Calif. - The No. 4 BCS-ranked Michigan State Spartans, champions of the Big Ten Conference, and the No. 5 BCS-ranked Stanford Cardinal, champions of the Pac-12 Conference, have earned berths to play in the 100th Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO at 1:30 p.m. PT (4:30 p.m. ET), Wednesday, January 1, 2014, at the Rose Bowl Stadium.
"The Tournament of Roses is pleased to once again host the champions of our partner conferences, Michigan State University and Stanford University to play in this historic edition of The Granddaddy of Them All," Tournament of Roses President Scott Jenkins said. "We are excited for a terrific matchup between two of the top teams in the country which honors our long-standing partnership with the Big Ten and Pac-12."
Michigan State finished the year with a 12-1 overall record (8-0 in conference). The Spartans earned the Big Ten Conference BCS automatic qualifier after defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Football Championship Game, 34-24. The Spartans return to the Rose Bowl Game for their fifth appearance all-time; the last taking place in 1988. Michigan State is 3-1 overall in its Rose Bowl Game appearances.
Stanford closed out the regular season at 11-2, (7-2 in conference) and returns to the Rose Bowl Game in back-to-back seasons after defeating Arizona State in the Pac-12 Football Championship Game to earn the Pac-12 BCS automatic qualifier. The Cardinal is making its fourth consecutive BCS bowl appearance and its 14th appearance all-time in the Rose Bowl Game. Stanford is 6-6-1 overall in its Rose Bowl Game appearances.
The 100th Rose Bowl Game will mark the sixth meeting all-time between the Spartans and Cardinal. Michigan State leads the series, 3-2. This is the first Rose Bowl Game matchup between these teams.
Pre-game festivities on January 1, will begin at 1:30 p.m. PT (4:30 p.m. ET) and include a musical performance of the Star-Spangled Banner by Merry Clayton, Lisa Fischer, Judith Hill and Darlene Love, as well as the official coin toss by 2014 Rose Parade Grand Marshal, Vin Scully. The game will be televised nationally on ESPN with Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit and Heather Cox calling the action.
The 100th Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO is sold out. For more information please visit www.tournamentofroses.com.
With Florida State vs. Auburn in BCS title game, the system works
There were eight undefeated teams on Oct. 27 and six left on Nov. 17 and it appeared the last year of the Bowl Championship Series might get the fist in the face it deserved.
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The BCS worked, thanks to blind luck more than planning.
Auburn said "thank you" and swiped the second spot Ohio State offered up after its Big Ten Conference title loss.
The top five of the final BCS standings ever published were Florida State, Auburn, Alabama, Michigan State and Stanford.
Florida State plays Auburn on Jan. 6 in the final BCS title game, sponsored by "Hallelujah."
The last fan leaving the Rose Bowl will be asked to blow out the bulbs.
The Pac-12 Conference got a great Rose Bowl, Stanford and Michigan State, followed by the old BCS stiff-arm.