who will be in the rose bowl 2025

Mac Grediser

2 min read

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27-11-2024

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Predicting the 2025 Rose Bowl: A Crystal Ball Gaze at College Football

The 2025 Rose Bowl is still over two years away, making definitive predictions a fool's errand. However, by analyzing current trends, team strengths, and projected conference standings, we can offer some educated speculation on which teams might battle it out in Pasadena on January 1st, 2025.

The Usual Suspects: Conference Champions and Beyond

The Rose Bowl's selection process typically involves the champion of the Pac-12 Conference. Therefore, predicting the 2025 Rose Bowl starts with forecasting the Pac-12's eventual victor. Currently, several teams are in contention for the conference crown, with programs like USC, Oregon, Utah, and Washington consistently vying for top spots. The landscape could shift dramatically in the next two years, however, with coaching changes, recruiting cycles, and the inherent volatility of college football.

Beyond the Pac-12, the College Football Playoff (CFP) selection committee plays a significant role. The Rose Bowl often features a team from outside the Pac-12, typically a high-ranking team from the Big Ten Conference, though this isn't always the case. The selection process prioritizes the highest-ranked teams available after the CFP semifinals.

Potential Big Ten Contenders:

The Big Ten, known for its powerhouse programs, regularly supplies a strong contender for the Rose Bowl. Teams like Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Wisconsin are perennial favorites and have a high probability of being in the national championship conversation come 2024. Their performance in the coming seasons will heavily influence their Rose Bowl prospects.

Wildcard Factors:

Several factors could dramatically alter our predictions:

• Coaching Changes: A new coaching hire can revitalize a program or lead to a significant decline.
• Recruiting: The success of recruiting classes in the next two years will significantly shape team strength.
• Player Development: Unexpected breakthroughs or injuries could impact a team's trajectory.
• Conference Realignment: The ongoing shift in college football conferences could impact the Rose Bowl's selection process and the teams competing for a spot.

A Tentative (and Highly Speculative) Prediction:

Given the current landscape, it wouldn't be unreasonable to imagine a scenario where a strong Big Ten team like Ohio State or Michigan faces off against a Pac-12 champion like USC or Oregon in the 2025 Rose Bowl. But this is far from a guarantee. The next two seasons will offer many twists and turns, likely leading to a very different picture by the time January 2025 rolls around.

Conclusion:

Predicting the 2025 Rose Bowl participants two years in advance is an exercise in educated guessing. While we can highlight likely contenders based on current standings and team strength, the unpredictable nature of college football means surprises are almost guaranteed. Keep an eye on the Pac-12 and Big Ten races over the next couple of seasons for a clearer picture of the potential matchup in Pasadena.