Penn State vs. USC - Clash of Cultures

[Franks Tanks]

I was watching the latest Rose Bowl promo commercial and the culture clash of Penn State and USC is just striking. The commercial shows a shot of Joe Paterno and his 50's style attire and then Penn State's simple uni's. The next shot is the wonderful USC song girls and a bright blue SoCal sky at a game at the LA colisuem.

Penn State and the state they represent is grit and old fashioned hard work (in many ways). The players are the sons or grandsons or steel workers and coal miners. They have a tough no non-sense attitude that screams "Keep you mouth shut and do your job". It is the industrial rust belt and life isnt easy in many corners of the state. They are led by the oldest of old school coaches that the team and state love. --(Also please spare the deplorable antics of some recent Penn State players. I am aware of what happened and realize this doesnt fit into what I am saying but go with me.)

USC is everything Penn State is not. They are flashy, they are cool, they are Hollywood. They are led by perhaps the "coolest" coach in the country who can relate to his players as few can. USC players and alums grew up on the beach or basking on the perfect SoCal weather.

It reminds me a lot of the 1987 Penn State- Miami Fiesta bowl matchup for many of the same reasons. Also just to put this in perspective here I was talking to one of my friends from Pittsburgh recently. He is everything you think of when it comes to Pittsburgh, except he is educated and successful. Anyway he said "I hate USC-- they have the long hair and talk like surfers, that Cali vibe is just BS". I love when teams that represent such different areas of the country so well clash in a bowl (or in the playoffs). Cant wait for this game.

[TheValleyRaider]

One of the reasons I always like watching the Rose Bowl

Big 10 v. Pac 10

Great contrasts and interesting matchups xnodx

[NDSUFREAK]

GO PENN STATE!

[chantster]

Southern Cal by 10.

[ngineer]

I sense JoePa and his staff will have developed a scheme to slow down the Trojans, just like they did to Miami in 1987. With his hip surgery and return, I expect the team to really fired up.

[andy7171]

The Rose Bowl is one of the only bowls I watch each year. I am particularly looking forward to this match up for the exact reasons you put out there.

[Franks Tanks]

The Rose Bowl is one of the only bowls I watch each year. I am particularly looking forward to this match up for the exact reasons you put out there.

True, The Rose Bowl is a great game to watch no matter who is playing. I do miss Keith Jackson doing the games however, he was the best.

[andy7171]

True, The Rose Bowl is a great game to watch no matter who is playing. I do miss Keith Jackson doing the games however, he was the best.
Agreed.
"The Grand Daddy of them all! Whoa Nelly!"

Probably the whole reason I liked watching the game early on.

[SuperJon]

Exgirlfriend went to Penn State a semester and is from Pennsylvania.

I'm pulling for Southern Cal. Big time.

[LacesOut]

The Rose Bowl is a good one to watch, I agree.

I hope Southern Cal destroys Penn State.

[Gil Dobie]

I am wondering if the Big Ten will win many bowl games. :(

[FCS_pwns_FBS]

I want USC to lose, but I don't see how they will. USC is going to wipe the floor with them.

[Franks Tanks]

I want USC to lose, but I don't see how they will. USC is going to wipe the floor with them.

I dont know if the USC offense will be able to score enough point to wipe the floor. Penn State also has a top 10 defense, and USC hasnt been that great on Offense this year I wouldnt expect too many point by the trojans. I do however feel the Penn State offense will have trouble moving the ball against a very good USC defense. Penn State always plays great in bowl games. Joe PAterno is famous for having grueling almost camp like practices leading up to the bowl games and also putting in some schemactic wrinkes into the game plan. 1987 was a very long time ago but in that game Penn State devised a totally new defense to conufuse the mightly Miami huricanes led by Vinny Testerverde and Michael Irvin and held them to 10 points. I think Penn State will need to play a nearly flawless game to win, as they did in 1987, but I dont believe it will be a blowout.

[JohnStOnge]

I want USC to lose, but I don't see how they will. USC is going to wipe the floor with them.

If I were betting straight up I'd bet on USC and I wouldn't be surprised to see things snowball on Penn State. On the other hand, one never knows. USC did lose to Oregon State. Penn State may be a different style but they're certainly a lot better than Oregon State. And they have a mobile, double threat QB who can make ad lib plays when things break down. I think that's something that could really help them. And, actually, in that regard they have something USC doesn't. Sanchez is not a run threat at all.

Clark may not be Michael Vick and his stats aren't that gaudy (3.7 yards per rush), but he can move around pretty well and he can really gun it on the move. It'll be interesting to see if that works to Penn State's benefit.

[Grizaholic17]

Penn State doesn't know what's going to hit them. USC is just a whole different team then Penn State could ever think. USC will win by at least two scored. I wish Paterno could get another bowl win though. :/

[Franks Tanks]

Penn State doesn't know what's going to hit them. USC is just a whole different team then Penn State could ever think. USC will win by at least two scored. I wish Paterno could get another bowl win though. :/


May I remind you Penn State crushed the Oregon State team that beat USC?? Again Penn State will most likely lose the game, but it wont be like the Illinois debacle like last year

[GannonFan]

I was watching the latest Rose Bowl promo commercial and the culture clash of Penn State and USC is just striking. The commercial shows a shot of Joe Paterno and his 50's style attire and then Penn State's simple uni's. The next shot is the wonderful USC song girls and a bright blue SoCal sky at a game at the LA colisuem.

Penn State and the state they represent is grit and old fashioned hard work (in many ways). The players are the sons or grandsons or steel workers and coal miners. They have a tough no non-sense attitude that screams "Keep you mouth shut and do your job". It is the industrial rust belt and life isnt easy in many corners of the state. They are led by the oldest of old school coaches that the team and state love. --(Also please spare the deplorable antics of some recent Penn State players. I am aware of what happened and realize this doesnt fit into what I am saying but go with me.)

USC is everything Penn State is not. They are flashy, they are cool, they are Hollywood. They are led by perhaps the "coolest" coach in the country who can relate to his players as few can. USC players and alums grew up on the beach or basking on the perfect SoCal weather.

It reminds me a lot of the 1987 Penn State- Miami Fiesta bowl matchup for many of the same reasons. Also just to put this in perspective here I was talking to one of my friends from Pittsburgh recently. He is everything you think of when it comes to Pittsburgh, except he is educated and successful. Anyway he said "I hate USC-- they have the long hair and talk like surfers, that Cali vibe is just BS". I love when teams that represent such different areas of the country so well clash in a bowl (or in the playoffs). Cant wait for this game.

That's a bit of an antiquated view, isn't it? Penn State isn't that close to the descendents of "coal miners and steel workers" ethos any longer. The kids who go to Penn State aren't substantially different than the kids that go to USC, just separated by geography anymore, not culture. Even Joe Pa's changed a bit lately, and even if he hasn't he's much less involved than ever. Obviously the '87 Penn State/Miami game was very much a clash of cultures, but that was 20 years ago and cultures have changed along with the football.

[Franks Tanks]

That's a bit of an antiquated view, isn't it? Penn State isn't that close to the descendents of "coal miners and steel workers" ethos any longer. The kids who go to Penn State aren't substantially different than the kids that go to USC, just separated by geography anymore, not culture. Even Joe Pa's changed a bit lately, and even if he hasn't he's much less involved than ever. Obviously the '87 Penn State/Miami game was very much a clash of cultures, but that was 20 years ago and cultures have changed along with the football.

It is less prevelant then in the past but I think it still rings true. Look at guys like AQ Shipley and Wisnewski (and really the whole o-line) and Mickey Shuler. Those guys are throwbacks. The QB Darrel Clark is from the mean streets of that decaying Steel Town Youngstown Ohio. Even guys like Evan Royster, whi is from Virginia, is still the quiet hard working type even though he isnt from PA. Pittsburgh PA, Youngstwon Ohio and Scranton PA are worlds from SoCal.

[JohnStOnge]

Penn State doesn't know what's going to hit them.

Penn State knows exactly what it's up against. At this point they've watched so much film on USC that they see Trojans in their sleep.

I think USC is very good and has been very good most years during the 2000s. I think if there was a playoff system they'd be a very big threat to win the national title. But, as good as they are, I also think they are perhaps the most consistently over rated program in the country. Every year they're supposed to be the best thing ever and almost every year they lose to an Oregon State, a UCLA, etc.

If I had to bet, I'd bet on USC. Even if the two teams were exactly even, USC has the home field advantage. It'd be interesting to see them play in January in Happy Valley.

But I will not be shocked if Penn State wins. Penn State has a history of doing that sort of thing to teams that are supposed to be way superior to them.

[TheValleyRaider]

I think USC is very good and has been very good most years during the 2000s. I think if there was a playoff system they'd be a very big threat to win the national title. But, as good as they are, I also think they are perhaps the most consistently over rated program in the country. Every year they're supposed to be the best thing ever and almost every year they lose to an Oregon State, a UCLA, etc.

It would seem to me that USC's Achilles Heel is their focus. They have a game or two every year where it just seems as if they don't care, or they aren't prepared, or something. Very strange


If I had to bet, I'd bet on USC. Even if the two teams were exactly even, USC has the home field advantage. It'd be interesting to see them play in January in Happy Valley.

I think it'd be interesting to see USC or any SEC team play in a place like Happy Valley or Ann Arbor after November. I realize it won't happen because of conference schedules and the like, but it'd certainly be an interesting change of pace from playing bowl games in the SEC's backyard

[Go Lehigh TU Owl]

Penn State has more speed than the average Big 10 team i believe. Anyone who thinks USC will roll over the Lions will be surprised IMO and this is coming from someone who hates PSU. Penn States D will be the fastest USC has faced. Their Dline is fantastic. Penn State has always played well in their bowl games and they've had recent sucess against the SEC. I think USC will win but this is going to be a great game.

[OL FU]

Going for the old man in this one.


he makes me look youngxlolx

[LehighFan11]

I was at the Rose Bowl last year for the USC vs. Illinois game and boy was it the greatest time ever. If you haven't been to the Rose Bowl, put that on your list of things to do. USC fans are so stuck up, they really are. I couldn't stand sitting in the crowd with them.

I agree that Penn State is probably fastest team the Big 10 usually has to offer. They aren't like Ohio State who gets washed out of the building every time they play a team with speed. Penn State has an amazing defense would some great speed (Maybin will have his way with Sanchez). Clark will have his hands full with the USC defense eventhough he has playmakers like Wallace and DWill. I might take the under and the point in this game. 21-17 USC? I don't think there is any way USC losses at home, on primetime tv, in the rose bowl, with sunny skies, and Hollywood spotlight. @ PSU in Nov? Different story.

[ngineer]

I was at the Rose Bowl last year for the USC vs. Illinois game and boy was it the greatest time ever. If you haven't been to the Rose Bowl, put that on your list of things to do. USC fans are so stuck up, they really are. I couldn't stand sitting in the crowd with them.

I agree that Penn State is probably fastest team the Big 10 usually has to offer. They aren't like Ohio State who gets washed out of the building every time they play a team with speed. Penn State has an amazing defense would some great speed (Maybin will have his way with Sanchez). Clark will have his hands full with the USC defense eventhough he has playmakers like Wallace and DWill. I might take the under and the point in this game. 21-17 USC? I don't think there is any way USC losses at home, on primetime tv, in the rose bowl, with sunny skies, and Hollywood spotlight. @ PSU in Nov? Different story.

You got that right. Penn State might even be favored at home in late November. I still think PSU can pull it off, although I agree they should be 7-10 point underdogs. I'd take the Nits and 10 xnodx

[seantaylor]

Penn State wins straight up. Look what they did to Oregon State.

[ngineer]

The more I read up on this game, the more I think PSU will really make this interesting and quite possibly steal this with great defense and a couple timely plays. I see a 20-17 or similar score.xnodx

[Reign of Terrier]

I am SO tired of USC--every single freakin' year they have a "loaded roster" and they haven't had a but one clear cut NC (and it hasn't been in 4 years). They are not overrated but if they keep dropping a game in the Pac 10 every year and not getting an NC they should fire Carroll. They have too much talent to be wasted.


GO PENN STATE.

[813Jag]

Penn St has work to do in the second half.

[Appstate29]

hate that for Penn St. I'm so sick of hearing about USC. I don't care anymore. I like Pete Carroll, but I'm sick of all the hollywood persona, the fakest cheerleaders this side of the Dallas cowboys cheerleaders, and the huge throbbing boner any media-type gets whenever they are mentioned. Heres to hoping Penn St. can pull off the improbable.

[UNHWildCats]

Penn State has more speed than the average Big 10 team i believe. Anyone who thinks USC will roll over the Lions will be surprised IMO and this is coming from someone who hates PSU. Penn States D will be the fastest USC has faced. Their Dline is fantastic. Penn State has always played well in their bowl games and they've had recent sucess against the SEC. I think USC will win but this is going to be a great game.
xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[UNHWildCats]

I am SO tired of USC--every single freakin' year they have a "loaded roster" and they haven't had a but one clear cut NC (and it hasn't been in 4 years). They are not overrated but if they keep dropping a game in the Pac 10 every year and not getting an NC they should fire Carroll. They have too much talent to be wasted.


GO PENN STATE.
they got a coach everyone wants to play for

[UNHWildCats]

Penn State wins straight up. Look what they did to Oregon State.
xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[UNHWildCats]

The more I read up on this game, the more I think PSU will really make this interesting and quite possibly steal this with great defense and a couple timely plays. I see a 20-17 or similar score.xnodx
xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx

[UNHWildCats]

Penn St has work to do in the second half.
working on their tans maybe, cause this game is over

[LehighFan11]

I love this. GO USC!!!!

Illinois by 32 last year
Ohio State by 32 this year
Psu by 24 and counting.

[UNHWildCats]

hate that for Penn St. I'm so sick of hearing about USC. I don't care anymore. I like Pete Carroll, but I'm sick of all the hollywood persona, the fakest cheerleaders this side of the Dallas cowboys cheerleaders, and the huge throbbing boner any media-type gets whenever they are mentioned. Heres to hoping Penn St. can pull off the improbable.
xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx xlolx USC can give Penn State 30 points to start the 3rd qtr and USC will still win by 20.

[813Jag]

I'm not a USC fan but they do know how to pour it on if you slip up. Actually I don't like Penn St. either so this is funny. xlolx

[SuperJon]

Exgirlfriend went to Penn State a semester and is from Pennsylvania.

I'm pulling for Southern Cal. Big time.

Yay.

[813Jag]

I guess it's a good thing a slow big 11 team showed up. xlolx Maybe Iowa should have gone to the Rose Bowl.

[ngineer]

Penn State made way too many mistakes that negated some great opportunities in the first half that would have kept the game close. I said previously that State should be a ten point underdog, but by playing their game they had a real shot. They didn't play their game at all. 7 penalties was more than twice their average. USC certainly has more individual talent, and IMO deserves a #1 ranking by the AP until proven different by either FL or OK.

[JohnStOnge]

USC certainly has more individual talent, and IMO deserves a #1 ranking by the AP until proven different by either FL or OK.

I honestly don't think they deserve the number 1 ranking and whoever wins the Florida/OU game is going to come out looking to deserve it. They beat the #6 team by the BCS standings and whoever wins the Florida/OU game's going to have beaten either #1 or #2. If you go by the average of rankings...mostly power ratings...at http://www.mratings.com/cf/compare.htm it's the same picture. They beat the #6 team.

[andy7171]

That game got ugly real quick for Penn State.

[JohnStOnge]

That game got ugly real quick for Penn State.

What surprised me is that it was more USC's offense than its defense that put the pressure on. I think Penn State actually moved the ball pretty well. They just couldn't stop USC's passing game.

[813Jag]

You can debate it all day, but the way those receivers were running wide open, USC seemed like they were faster on the edges. Penn St also seemed predictable when the game was still in doubt allowing USC to send 8 on defense.

[Reign of Terrier]

Honestly I think Penn State did better than the other Big ten schools recently. They did outscore USC 17-7 in the second half. had they scored a TD on the last drive it would have been a 7 point game.

[LacesOut]

Looked as if Penn State was playing in quicksand at times. Yes, PSU has speed, but they have Big Ten speed. And I think USC called off the dogs pretty much late in the 3rd quarter and the 4th.

Thank god Iowa beat PSU to send them to the Rose Bowl and deny them a shot at the NC game. Can you imagine them playing Oklahoma or Florida and the beating they would take?

[andy7171]

Yeah Pete Carroll yanked the leash back after hitting 38. USC smelled blood and big played Penn State in the first half. The game was over at halftime.

No way USC shouldn't be mentioned in the possible fantasy BCS NC talk.

[TheValleyRaider]

Looked as if Penn State was playing in quicksand at times. Yes, PSU has speed, but they have Big Ten speed. And I think USC called off the dogs pretty much late in the 3rd quarter and the 4th.


Yeah Pete Carroll yanked the leash back after hitting 38. USC smelled blood and big played Penn State in the first half. The game was over at halftime.

Did they?

Holding back has never been Carroll's MO at USC, why start now? No one had scored as many points in the 2nd Half as Penn State did against that defense, did they suddenly stop caring about their pride? Carroll as well as anybody knows that the Trojans needed a big win to get votes for #1, and 38-24 doesn't cut it unless you think Texas will win by a similar or less margin

[andy7171]

Did they?

Holding back has never been Carroll's MO at USC, why start now? No one had scored as many points in the 2nd Half as Penn State did against that defense, did they suddenly stop caring about their pride? Carroll as well as anybody knows that the Trojans needed a big win to get votes for #1, and 38-24 doesn't cut it unless you think Texas will win by a similar or less margin

I don't think he wanted to embarrass Joe Pa. And the game was certainly going in that direction.

You make a good points though. xpeacex

[Go...gate]

That Rose Bowl was reminiscent of the many times in the 60's and 70's when Hayes or Schembechler would take a team out to Pasadena and get waxed. PSU's speed and talent and team spirit were good (they never quit, to their everlasting credit), but they were still a step slow.

[OL FU]

Clash of Cultures - Surfer dudes winxrotatehx

[Cobblestone]

I was watching the latest Rose Bowl promo commercial and the culture clash of Penn State and USC is just striking. The commercial shows a shot of Joe Paterno and his 50's style attire and then Penn State's simple uni's. The next shot is the wonderful USC song girls and a bright blue SoCal sky at a game at the LA colisuem.

Penn State and the state they represent is grit and old fashioned hard work (in many ways). The players are the sons or grandsons or steel workers and coal miners. They have a tough no non-sense attitude that screams "Keep you mouth shut and do your job". It is the industrial rust belt and life isnt easy in many corners of the state. They are led by the oldest of old school coaches that the team and state love. --(Also please spare the deplorable antics of some recent Penn State players. I am aware of what happened and realize this doesnt fit into what I am saying but go with me.)

USC is everything Penn State is not. They are flashy, they are cool, they are Hollywood. They are led by perhaps the "coolest" coach in the country who can relate to his players as few can. USC players and alums grew up on the beach or basking on the perfect SoCal weather.

It reminds me a lot of the 1987 Penn State- Miami Fiesta bowl matchup for many of the same reasons. Also just to put this in perspective here I was talking to one of my friends from Pittsburgh recently. He is everything you think of when it comes to Pittsburgh, except he is educated and successful. Anyway he said "I hate USC-- they have the long hair and talk like surfers, that Cali vibe is just BS". I love when teams that represent such different areas of the country so well clash in a bowl (or in the playoffs). Cant wait for this game.


Good observations and well written.