Why did Penn State play in the Rose Bowl instead of Ohio State?

Ohio State was ranked first in the College Football Playoff (CFP) rankings heading into the final week of the regular season. However, the Buckeyes lost to Michigan in their regular season finale, which dropped them to third in the final CFP rankings. Penn State, meanwhile, was ranked fifth in the final CFP rankings.

The Rose Bowl is one of the six major college football bowl games. It is played on New Year's Day in Pasadena, California. The Rose Bowl is traditionally played between the champion of the Big Ten Conference and the champion of the Pac-12 Conference. However, if the Big Ten or Pac-12 champion is selected for the CFP, the Rose Bowl will host the next-highest ranked team from the Big Ten or Pac-12.

In 2016, Ohio State was selected for the CFP, so the Rose Bowl hosted Penn State, the second-ranked team from the Big Ten. Penn State defeated USC in the Rose Bowl, 52-49.

  1. Where is the Rose Bowl played?
    • The Rose Bowl is played in Pasadena, California.
  2. Who plays in the Rose Bowl?
    • The Rose Bowl is traditionally played between the champion of the Big Ten Conference and the champion of the Pac-12 Conference.
  3. What if the Big Ten or Pac-12 champion is selected for the CFP?
    • If the Big Ten or Pac-12 champion is selected for the CFP, the Rose Bowl will host the next-highest ranked team from the Big Ten or Pac-12.
  4. Who played in the Rose Bowl in 2016?
    • Penn State and USC played in the Rose Bowl in 2016.
  5. Who won the Rose Bowl in 2016?
    • Penn State won the Rose Bowl in 2016.
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