Rose Bowl ratings increases with Penn State
The BCS loves Penn State, there’s just no ifs, buts, or ands about it.
2 BCS appearances, 2 rating bonanzas for the BCS
| Bowl Game | Previous Participants (Ratings) | When Penn State Participated (Ratings) | Ratings Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rose Bowl | 2008 USC – Illinois (11.0) | 2009 USC – Penn State (11.7) | +0.7 |
| Orange Bowl | * 2003 Miami – Florida State (9.7) | 2005 Penn State – Florida State (12.3) | +2.6 |
* Miami – Florida State wasn’t played the year before Penn State – Florida State, but it was the last time prior to 2005 when the Orange Bowl was not host to the Championship Game. The 2004 Orange Bowl was the de facto National Title game.
While the 2009 Orange Bowl posted a dismal 5.4 rating, (a 27% decline from 2008), and the Alabama – Utah Sugar Bowl reported a 7.8, those numbers just weren’t competitive with the Rose Bowl.
Penn State football is simply too attractive to ignore.
Even the mega Ohio State – Texas matchup couldn’t beat the Lions and the Trojans drawing a 10.4 rating, 1.3 shy of the Rose Bowl.
These are numbers the BCS is well aware of. And as long as the Nittany Lions continues to qualify, the BCS will gladly snatch them up.
Unfortunate news for the Iowas, Wisconsins and Michigan States of the college football world.
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Kevin 