Rose Bowl 2014 on New Year's Day features the NCAA's regular season champions Michigan State Spartans vs. Stanford Cardinals. The No. 4 BCS-ranked Spartans, champions of the Big Ten Conference, and No. 5 BCS-ranked Cardinals, champions of the Pac-12 Conference, will play in Wednesday's historic 100th Rose Bowl Game presented by VIZIO at 1:30 p.m. PT (4:30 p.m. ET) on January 1, 2014, at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.
Michigan State finished the year with a 12-1 overall record (8-0 in conference). The Spartans earned the Big Ten Conference BCS automatic qualifier after winning 34-24 over the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Big Ten Football Championship Game. According to Tournamnet of Roses news, the Spartans return to the Rose Bowl Game for their fifth appearance all-time; the last taking place in 1988.
Stanford closed out the regular season at 11-2, (7-2 in conference) and returns to the Rose Bowl Game in consecutive seasons after defeating Arizona State in the Pac-12 Football Championship Game to earn the Pac-12 BCS automatic qualifier. The Cardinal is making its fourth consecutive BCS bowl appearance and its 14th appearance all-time in the Rose Bowl Game, the Tournament of Roses news reports.
Tyler Gaffney returned to Stanford this year and has averaged 124.5 yards rushing per game and 5.3 yards per carry behind an offensive line that includes All-American guard David Yankey. Senior running back Anthony Wilkerson, who has rushed for two touchdowns, according to Los Angeles Times.
While Michigan State has the top-ranked defense in NCAA football and gives up only 80.8 yards rushing a game, linebackers Denicos Allen and Taiwan Jones make up their top defensive tacklers. Analyst says that Klein will give Stanford the edge, and Dufresne, Michigan State.
Stanford quarterback Kevin Hogan has completed 61.4% of his passes, including 20 for touchdowns, with nine interceptions. Wide receiver Ty Montgomery has a team-best 58 receptions, 10 for touchdowns. Devon Cajuste has 27 receptions, five for touchdowns.
Michigan State's cornerback Darqueze Dennard was awarded the Thorpe Award as college football's top defensive back.
On the other hand, Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook has completed 58.4% of his passes, 20 for touchdowns, with five interceptions.
Meanwhile, the Rose Bowl game between Stanford and Michigan State will air at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m. PT on ESPN, and can be watched online from WatchESPN website.
