The Rose Bowl should feel like the “Granddaddy of Them
All” again this year. After experiencing declining television
ratings and a move away from tradition in recent years, the bowl
again gets a premier matchup to open 2004. The Rose Bowl features
the No. 1 team in both polls, it returns to the Pac-10 vs. Big Ten
format and it has two teams with high-powered offenses.

Michigan passing offense vs. Southern Cal. Passing defense:
This may be Braylon Edwards’ last game in a Michigan
uniform — the junior said earlier this week that he’s
not sure if he’ll be back next year — and it will be a
perfect chance to showcase his talent to the nation. Michigan
quarterback John Navarre will have to watch out for Kenechi Udeze,
the Trojans’ All-American defensive end, who has 13.5 sacks
on the season. Southern Cal. also has a strong secondary, which
picked off 21 passes. But the Wolverines’ receiving trio of
Edwards, Jason Avant and Steve Breaston has been unstoppable in the
second half of the season.

Advantage: Michigan

Michigan rushing offense vs. Southern Cal. rushing
defense: Chris Perry was named a first-team All-American last
week, and he’ll probably be named a Heisman Trophy finalist
today. But Perry has twice as many rushing yards as Southern Cal.
defense has allowed all year (1,589 to 733). The tailback with a
big heart may be a longshot for the Heisman, but he’ll likely
win the ground battle in Pasadena.

Advantage: Michigan

Southern Cal. passing offense vs. Michigan passing
defense: The Trojans’ air attack is similar to
Michigan’s: it boasts a quarterback with prolific numbers and
a deep and talented receiving corps. Matt Leinart, just a
sophomore, is third in the nation with 35 touchdowns and has thrown
just nine interceptions. His No. 1 target is wideout Mike Williams,
who caught 16 touchdowns this season, but Keary Colbert, Steve
Smith and freshman tailback Reggie Bush are also receiving threats.
Michigan cornerbacks Jeremy LeSueur and Markus Curry, who have been
solid but not spectacular, will be overmatched.

Advantage: Southern Cal.

Southern Cal. rushing offense vs. Michigan rushing
defense: The Trojans have depth on the ground too. Three of
Southern Cal.’s running backs have rushed for at least 480
yards. With 13 touchdowns, LenDale White is the Trojans’ main
scoring threat. But Hershel Dennis got almost an equal number of
carries this season, and Bush adds versatility. He’s scored
three rushing touchdowns and four receiving touchdowns.

Advantage: Southern Cal.

Special teams: The Trojans and the Wolverines are pretty
much equal in place-kicking — both teams have missed four
field goals on the year. Southern Cal. doesn’t have a
counterpart to Breaston, Michigan’s speedy return-man, but
Michigan’s special teams haven’t always been
consistent, especially in blocking for punter Adam Finley.

Advantage: Push

Intangibles: The Trojans have something to prove after
being slighted by the BCS, but, more importantly, they have a
national title to play for. Michigan has a chance to beat the
top-ranked team in the country and win its first Rose Bowl since
1998, but the Wolverines most likely wouldn’t win the
national championship if they were to beat the Trojans.

Advantage: Southern Cal.

Prediction: Southern Cal. 42, Michigan 38.