After a crazy day of upsets in college football, including the USC Trojans beating the Oregon Ducks 38-35 at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, the 2012 Rose Bowl picture is becoming more and more clear. Oregon and the Wisconsin Badgers still appear in line to face one another in Pasadena on January 2, but there are still a few scenarios in play.
Pac-12
The North Division is simple. If Oregon (9-2, 7-1) is able to beat the Oregon State Beavers in The Civil War, they win the division and host the Pac-12 Championship Game. Should Oregon State beat Oregon, the division title goes to the Stanford Cardinal (10-1, 8-1), who wrap up their schedule with a non-conference home game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.
With USC ineligible for postseason play, the South Division has three teams in play:
The UCLA Bruins (6-5, 5-3) are in control of their own destiny. If they beat USC, they win the South and head north for the Pac-12 Championship Game on Friday, December 2. If the Bruins lose, they need Utah to lose as well to win the division.
The Arizona State Sun Devils (6-5, 4-4) win if there is a three-way tie, so they need a home win over the Cal Golden Bears, a loss by UCLA to USC, and a win by Utah over Colorado.
The Utah Utes (7-4, 4-4), who began their first season in the Pac-12 with four straight conference losses, have now won four straight contests. Utah needs three things: a win over conference doormat Colorado, a UCLA loss to USC, and an Arizona State loss to California.
Big Ten
The Michigan State Spartans clinched the Legends Division on Saturday, so their spot in the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game on Saturday, December 3 is secure. They will battle the winner of the Leaders Division, which is down to two teams. The Penn State Nittany Lions (9-2, 6-1) travel to Madison, Wisconsin on Saturday to battle Wisconsin (9-2, 5-2), with the prize the first ever Big Ten Leaders Division championship.
The 2012 Rose Bowl Game will be played on Monday, January 2, 2012 in Pasadena. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. PDT. The game will be televised by ESPN, with Brent Musberger, Kirk Hirbstreit, and Lisa Salters on the call. Stay tuned for more updates as the game approaches.