It has been a while since we had our staff go on the record for some football picks, but what better time to correct that than with the Rose Bowl? Penn State is set to face Pac-12 champion Utah in Pasadena on January 2, 2023 and the Nittany Lions are looking to embrace the role of underdog against the Utes. But how does our staff feel about the outcome of this particular matchup?
We tasked our staff to dig into the matchup and choose sides. As you will see, we are all counting on this Rose Bowl being a tight contest, but how do we like coming out on top when the roses are distributed? Let’s see what we are saying on the record for this one.
Andrew Harbaugh, Contributor
@AndrewHarbaugh_
I want this cinderella season to end on a high note for the Nittany Lions but this Utah team is playing on another level right now. They handled the Heisman trophy winner Caleb Williams on two occasions this year and they have a complete defense that is intact for the most part. The running backs Nick Singleton and Kaytron Allen will control the pace of the offense but I worry about Sean Clifford being able to make plays, especially without Parker Washington. Add in the fact that Utah is looking to get revenge after a disappointing performance last year against Ohio State and I think its a perfect storm for Penn State to deal with.
Utah 31, Penn State 24
Sam Dehring, Contributor
@sam_dehring68
Ohio State represented the Big Ten last season in the Rose Bowl, and they came back and beat Utah 48-45. It will be tough to beat last season’s matchup, but the Penn State-Utah Rose Bowl still has the potential to be exciting. The Nittany Lions are without just two players, Joey Porter Jr. and Parker Washington. Utah will be without Dalton Kincaid Clark Phillips III for this matchup. However, I do think Utah goes home with the win in their revenge game after a loss last season, with a final score of 28-24.
Utah 28, Penn State 24
Kevin McGuire, Editor
@KevinOnCFB
Well, I suppose I’ll be the one to go against the grain and take won’t he role of total homer, because I think Penn State gets just enough out of its offense to squeeze out a tight victory against Utah in Pasadena. If it is not clear by now how much respect I have for Utah, let it be known that I’ have been lauding them for years. But I don’t see too much Utah does that Penn State can’t. I think it is a very even matchup and I think Penn State’s tight ends make the plays Utah will be missing from its offense. Penn State comes home with its second Rose Bowl victory in program history and helps set the tone for the 2023 season.
Penn State 33, Utah 30
Penn State faces Utah in the Rose Bowl on Monday, January 2, 2023.
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