Rose Bowl Regalia

This week I’m on a family trip down to Los Angeles for a wedding and some fun and relief from the Oregon weather. This morning we drove down to the anticipated site of a great January 1st clash, the granddaddy of them all, the Rose Bowl! While the teams weren’t practicing at the site, the floats were being prepared for the parade, the teams had all of their ‘official gear’ on sale, and the atmosphere was already electric. I found myself thinking that even though USC may be bummed that they’re not going to the national championship game, or that they even get to travel for the game, it will be a memorable experience for all of them.

I imagined what it might be like to run out onto a field of that size and magnitude. The biggest crowd I ever played in front was only about 6,000 and it still seemed loud and electric. The energy and noise provided from fans can be a great boost to any player needing that extra push. The noise can also play a factor in being able to communicate, to hear a quarterbacks cadence or a coache’s play.  And its then that the practice and chemistry of a team is tested. Can they move as one unit? Can they continue to run crisp and accurate plays? Can they block the noise out and focus, concentrate on the play to be successful?

The training and chemistry created during the months of the season will all be tested for these bowl teams. While teams like USC and Penn State are used to the noise and electricty of a game the magnitude of the Rose Bowl, after four weeks without a game, the adrenaline will have to be contained. Look for both teams to come out hot and fast. It’ll be a titanic match up that you won’t want to miss.