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On New Year's Day, the Penn State Nittany Lions will take on the USC Trojans in the 95th edition of the Rose Bowl.
The Lions will have a tough time in this one, playing a tough PAC-10 team in what basically is a home game for the Trojans.
Both the Penn State defense and offense will be tested in this one, with USC's potent offense and powerful defense. Shutting down the Trojans' big three on offense, quarterback Mark Sanchez, and tailbacks Joe McKnight and Stafon Johnson will be task for the Lions. Sanchez, while he can be relatively accurate and throw deep, shouldn't be the main focus of the Lion defense. When USC played Ohio State, the Trojans crushed the Buckeyes, however, Sanchez didn't get hot until the second half and even after that, the Ohio State defense didn't have a problem putting pressure on Sanchez.
McKnight and Johnson have combined to run for more than 1,200 yards this season. They are the heart of the USC offense. The good news is that Penn State has a good rushing defense and that unit has had an easy time of shutting down running backs all season.
The USC defense is another story. The Trojan secondary unit is one of the best in the country and has only allowed about 121 passing yards per game. Darryl Clark could have a tough time in this one playing against one of the better secondary units they have faced all year. The PSU ground game will have some trouble too, with a running defense that is as tough as the secondary unit.
What it will come down to in this game, like it has in every game, is how the Nittany Lions start off. If they come out slow and show no aggression or drive, the USC defense will have no trouble shutting the Nittany Lions down. Penn State has to come into this game ready to play and to show the nation that they, and the Big Ten, are the real deal.
THE GOOD NEWS: Penn State's defense should be ready for an offensive challenge
THE BAD NEWS: USC's defense should be ready for an offensive challenge
KICKOFF: 5:10 p.m. EST, 2:10 Pacific
TV: ABC
BOTTOM LINE: Lions win roses in blood battle with Trojans
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