Can the Rose Bowl Recover from the Cold?

There is the fact that I partied too hard this weekend, consuming drink and smoke in abundance and impairing my immune system. Then I was out in the elements as well, climbing a remote peak in central New Hampshire in bitter temperatures and howling wind probably without the proper attire. Third is that emotionally I've been dragging since USC blew the pure, 'Trojan-paved' road to Glendale and Michigan was dissed on style-points in favor of Florida. The collective effect of all of this is that I'm sick and tired. The controversy has finally grown exhausting.

It's weird to admit this but the Rose Bowl is feeling like an all around letdown. I would guess that a lot of this has to do with the fact that both USC and Michigan are coming off losses to back pedal into a Granddaddy of Them All whose pre-game energy are so far actually fitting the geriatric nickname.

The feeling is remarkably different from a week ago when LSU was OMG excited to have a chance to play in the Rose Bowl. When USC was headed to the Nat'l Championship, and Michigan seemed pumped to play a worthy foe in LSU. But now, there seems to be zero excitement for this game. (I would bet this extends to the Sugar Bowl as well where it's kind of a glorified home game for LSU against a glorified high-school squad in Notre Dame, but I would differ to the Bayou Bengals fans to expand on that sentiment.)

For Michigan it's the political letdown. The system failed again. The voters suddenly freaked out at the idea of a rematch. Urban Meyer lobbied shamelessly while Lloyd Carr remained, silent, stoic, dignified. Tressel didn't vote.

For USC it's the no-less hard hitting body blow. They were the masters of their own destiny and choked in a very big way to an inferior team. They are left not only dealing with the damage of a bad loss but also the haunting spectre of what might have been had they kept their shit together.

In the end we're left wondering if USC is really that good a team, and whether Michigan can recover from the handicapping feelings of victimhood. Will this be a good Rose Bowl or will both teams show up feeling sorry for themselves?

In any other year this is a marquee matchup, a classic Rose Bowl. Three years ago this was the game that launched USC back to dynastic, National prominence in a win over Michigan. And the deck appears to be stacked to launch the winner of this game onto an urgent and real campaign for pre-season #1 and championship expectations next year.

That's the glamorous storyline, but so far the glitter just isn't there. There's one month left to let these wounds heal and like me, these teams and their shell-shocked fanbases have a long way to go to get the energy levels back up and recover from the cold.