2013-12-31T15: 23:27 Z 2013-12-31T16: 28:36 Z Smashmouth teams meet as ‘Granddaddy’ game turns 100 The Associated Press
PASADENA, Calif.. – The game considered to be the first Rose Bowl was staged in 1902 to help straw for the Tournament of Roses Parade. In unexpectedly HUGE crowd of about 8,000 sat on temporary stalls in the park and watched Stanford lose 49-0 to Michigan.
Fifth-ranked Stanford has returned to Pasadena 112 years later, facing No.. 4 Michigan State today in the 100th edition of college football’s quintessential Bowl game.
Far fewer fans’ ll show up on horses and buggies to Arroyo SECO this time, and the game likely won’t be called early because of the blowout. The outbound and Cardinal still Believe they’ll putt on the display of throwback football for the Granddaddy of Them All’s CENTENNIAL Celebration.
“There is the special quality to it,” said David Yankey, Stanford’s All-American left guard. “The Rose Bowl ‘ll still go on, but it’s kind of an end of an era in some sense, and we’re excited to be part of that.”
Both the Rose Bowl game and the Stadium have evolved since that initial routine was eventually followed by the institution of the annual New Year’s Day game in 1916. The 100th game falls During the final season of the Bowl Championship Series, and the Stadium ‘ll also host the last BCS title game on Monday.
The Cardinal (11-2) are in their fourth consecutive BCS Bowl game after winning the Pac-12, while the outbound (12-1) blew through their Big Ten schedule and hook their final Six games to EARN the long- suffering school’s first triple to Pasadena since 1988.
Eight reasons to watch the Rose Bowl’s odometer flip to triple digits:
Missing Middle: Michigan State Must play without Max Bullough, the Starting middle linebacker and the signal-CALLER for the departing ‘dominant defense. Mostly Kyler Elsworth has taken on the role, but the departing Will miss their leader.
Gaffney’s luck: Stanford tailback Tyler Gaffney Took off last season to play pro baseball, but Pasadena Traveller rate anyway. The experience contributed to his decision to return to football for his senior year, which has featured 1.618 yards and 20 rushing touchdowns. “As the West Coast team, this is the Big Daddy,” Gaffney said.
Strength on strength: ‘ll Gaffney feature prominently When Stanford’s running game Challenges Michigan State’s overpowering defense, ranked the nation’s best all season long while yielding 248.2 yards per game. Stanford’s defense is against the run north jockeys, Halloween the nation’s fourth-fewest yards per carry, but Michigan State is No.. 1.
Langford’s turn: While Gaffney Gets Plenty of caution, Michigan State tailback Jeremy Langford racked up the school-record eight 100-yard games among his 1.338 yards rushing. Langford is confidential his departing Will Thrive in adversity. “I actually wanted it to be the hard route to get to the Rose Bowl,” he said. “Every game was the team trying to stop us from our dream.”
Fan Frenzy: Magic Johnson isn’t the only Michigan State fan in Hollywood these days. After the 26-year Rose Bowl absent, leaving the faithful Should cover the Stadium in green, with athletic director Mark Hollis expecting more than 50,000 fans.
(Photo: Reuters/Brendan McDermid) 
