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Why a Utah Rose Bowl win is far from guaranteed

By Austin Lloyd

Jan 1, 2022; Pasadena, CA, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) celebrates with tight end Brant Kuithe (80) after running for a touchdown in the second quarter during the 2022 Rose Bowl college football game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2022; Pasadena, CA, USA; Utah Utes quarterback Cameron Rising (7) celebrates with tight end Brant Kuithe (80) after running for a touchdown in the second quarter during the 2022 Rose Bowl college football game at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports /
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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Parker Washington #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is tackled by DJ Turner #5 of the Michigan Wolverines and Junior Colson #25 in the first half of a game at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN – OCTOBER 15: Parker Washington #3 of the Penn State Nittany Lions is tackled by DJ Turner #5 of the Michigan Wolverines and Junior Colson #25 in the first half of a game at Michigan Stadium on October 15, 2022 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images) /

What makes Penn State so unappealing to the majority?

I will give these people some credit in one regard, and that is how they are also dragging Penn State’s résumé into this equation. The only problem is that they are not doing it right.

The main criticism surrounding the Nittany Lions is that they, unlike Utah, have nothing for fans to adequately gauge their strength with. The two best teams they faced were Michigan and Ohio State—both of which beat them by multiple scores. Beyond that pair of rivals, PSU’s biggest game was when it hosted Minnesota for Homecoming (a matchup that the Nittany Lions won in blowout fashion). For anyone wondering, the Golden Gophers finished their regular season at 8-4.

Folks look at those details and can come to only one conclusion: Penn State has done nothing to prove its approximate worth. But while such a statement may be true, how much of that falls on the team?

While the Utes have played five games against Power 5 opponents with nine wins or more (including the Pac-12 title game), the Nittany Lions have played two. Keeping with the comparisons, the Utes have faced zero playoff teams while the Nittany Lions have faced—you guessed it—two.

In short, how can anyone blame PSU for not “proving itself like Utah has” when its rare opportunities to do so were against teams better than everyone on Utah’s schedule?

Next. Breaking down top contenders for 2023 Heisman Trophy. dark

I’m not declaring that Penn State will win, but one thing I am certain about is that there is no good reason for a squad like the Nittany Lions to be counted out here. If Utah strolls into the Rose Bowl and tears them apart, I will be more than happy to take any heat that comes my way—but it’s going to take more than some ignorant social media support to make that happen.

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