How Much Longer Can the Big Ten's Rose Bowl Obsession Last?

As long as there are dreary winters with Midwesterners dreaming of California, the Rose Bowl will continue to be an obsession. 

There's also a sense of tradition involved that extends beyond just football.  Since it is played on New Year's Day when many of us are at home (i.e., nursing hangovers, nothing's open, too damn cold to go out, etc) with families, it's woven it's way into family tradition as well as football fan tradition.  My mother and grandmothers, for example, didn't really care a lick about football but come New Year's Day they were enchanted by the Rose Parade and would inevitably pay at least passing attention to the game too.

There is also some demographics at work.  Plenty of people have left the Midwest to live in southern California and Big Ten school have large bases of alumni there.  New Orleans and Miami, as just two examples, are certainly fun & warm but they lack the strength of alumni connections and don't quite fit the allure of "California dreaming" either.  To someone growing up in Michigan or Ohio, the culture of California appears fresh, modern and creative.  Like a version of what the Midwest could be if we had better weather and a little bit more money.  In contrast, southern culture doesn't hold the same appeal to the Midwesterner in general.  And specific enclaves like New Orleans and Miami are an extra bit too exotic, too Latin, too steamy.  They work well as the occasional no-strings-attached flings but the Rose Bowl is the perfect undemanding steady mistress.

Given time, I think well see Nebraska come around to our "obsession" with the Rose Bowl.

Lee Barfknecht

of the Omaha World-Herald.

Lee Barfknecht

if you asked any coach, fan, or player in the Big Ten if they would rather play for the National Title or play in the Rose Bowl, I sincerely hope that ALL of them would say they would play for the MNC.

the other side of the coin, I suppose, is that the MNC is just that - mythical.  This was proven last year in Louisiana.  The Rose Bowl is a very tanigble goal - no committee or computer can stop you from getting there.  If you win, you're in.

how the writer says at the beginning that Michigan fans have to delude themselves into thinking that we deserved a share of the 1997 title. Sorry, but Nebraska's schedule was soft that season compared to Michigan's. Michigan beat 7 ranked teams to Nebraska's 4. Also, one common opponent: Colorado. Michigan beat them 27-3, Nebraska beat them 27-24. Sorry, I'm not impressed by your scoring delta when you run the score up on beaten and inferior teams, Nebraska.  

Man, this article owns ALL THE IGNORANT. Very annoyed after reading it.

That article is crap because Nebraska fans are sick of the Florida bowls. 

Part of it is that they get sick of LOSING to the Florida bowls, and we can't help them with that.  But it's also true that it's "been there, done that" in the usual locales.  I used to live in Nebraska and I heard people gripe about that all the time.  They are loyal and will travel but the same old, same old starts losing its lustre to fans after a while.  Nebraska ought to welcome a new, unique venue to travel to.

are confused. You have to go to the Rose Bowl then ask why. You can't ask why then go to the Rose Bowl. So if and I do mean if you get the honor to play in the Rose Bowl reserve your judgement till then. I am sure though when you lose to an "inferior opponent" in the Rose Bowl out of the Pac 10 you will say it's overrated. If you should win (because the Pac Ten champions are going on to play for the MNC instead of playing you at the Rose) I am sure you will give the Rose it's due.