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Top 5 greatest Rose Bowl games in college football history

By Quinn Douglas

PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: A general view of the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JANUARY 01: A general view of the 2018 College Football Playoff Semifinal Game between the Oklahoma Sooners and Georgia Bulldogs at the Rose Bowl Game presented by Northwestern Mutual at the Rose Bowl on January 1, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: A general view during the national anthem before the 96th Rose Bowl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes on January 1, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA – JANUARY 01: A general view during the national anthem before the 96th Rose Bowl game between the Oregon Ducks and the Ohio State Buckeyes on January 1, 2010 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /

4. 1980 Rose Bowl: No. 3 USC 17, No. 1 Ohio State 16

A matchup of college football royalty in the 1980 version of the Rose Bowl showcased one of the most dramatic finishes in the game’s history. The Ohio State Buckeyes were led by first-year head coach Earle Bruce and sophomore quarterback Art Schlichter and finished the regular season 11-0 and outright champions of the Big Ten. USC was led by coach John Robinson and future NFL stars such as Marcus Allen, Anthony Munoz, Keith Van Horne, Ronnie Lott and Heisman Trophy-winner Charles White.

It was a battle for the entire 60-minute contest, Ohio State kicker Valde Janakievski hit three crucial field goals to keep Ohio State in the driver’s seat. A 67-yard TD pass from Art Schlichter to Calvin Murray gave Ohio State a 16-10 advantage deep into the fourth quarter when USC went on a drive for the ages, with Charles White engineering 71 yards rushing, including the game-winning touchdown with over a minute to go to stun the #1 Buckeyes. White finished the game with a Rose Bowl record 247 yards rushing.

The win gave USC their fourth national championship of the decade and cemented the 1970’s USC Trojans status as a premier dynasty in the history of college football.

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