UPDATE (2:35 p.m.): The Nittany Lions will play No. 9 USC for the third time in the Rose Bowl.

Penn State is heading to Pasadena for the Rose Bowl on January 2 at 5:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. Its opponent from the Pac-12 has yet to be announced.

Despite capturing the Big Ten Championship in one of the most incredible comebacks in program history, James Franklin’s Nittany Lions were snubbed for Ohio State, who claimed the No. 3 seed. The rest of the Final Four consists of No. 1 seed Alabama, No. 2 seed Clemson, and No. 4 seed Washington.

Penn State (11-2, 9-1 Big Ten) won its first outright conference title since 1994 Saturday night in Lucas Oil Stadium. That same ’94 team finished a 12-0 undefeated season in the “Granddaddy of Them All” over Oregon.

This marks the Nittany Lions’ fourth trip to the Rose Bowl in school history. They’ve faced USC twice before (1923 and 2009) on this stage.

About the Author

Ethan Kasales

Ethan’s a senior journalism major who grew up in Lemont, a few minutes from campus. When he’s not covering Penn State sports, you can usually find him golfing or teaching snowboarding at Tussey Mountain. Feel free to email him at [email protected]