Rayan Day and Dan lanning rose bowl conference BIG TEN football

The Rose Bowl is one of college football’s most storied and iconic bowl games, historically serving as the postseason destination for the top teams in the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences. It has earned a reputation for its picturesque setting in Pasadena, California, its tradition of high-caliber football, and its rich history that dates back to 1902. Over the years, many of the greatest names in college football have had the chance to play in the Rose Bowl, and in recent years, the Big Ten’s influence in the game has only continued to grow. As the 2023 college football season unfolded, both Rayan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes and Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks emerged as contenders for a potential Rose Bowl berth, marking an intriguing intersection of coaching talent, team dynamics, and conference powerhouses. This season, with Ohio State representing the Big Ten and Oregon positioned as a key player in the Pac-12, their paths to the Rose Bowl featured notable strategic battles and competitive storylines.

### Rayan Day’s Ohio State Buckeyes and the Big Ten Landscape

Ryan Day, the head coach of Ohio State, has firmly established himself as one of the top coaching minds in college football since taking the reins from Urban Meyer in 2018. Under his leadership, the Buckeyes have remained a dominant force in the Big Ten, consistently competing for conference championships and college football playoff berths. The 2023 season was no different for Ohio State, as they entered the year with high expectations, bolstered by a roster full of talent and a schedule that included some key matchups that would ultimately shape their Rose Bowl aspirations.

Ohio State’s offense, under the guidance of Day and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline, has evolved into a high-powered unit capable of scoring points in bunches. With quarterback Kyle McCord taking the reins in 2023, Day had to adapt to a new quarterback, but the Buckeyes still boasted a strong receiving corps led by Marvin Harrison Jr., one of the most coveted prospects in the 2024 NFL Draft. Ohio State’s offense, along with a defense that continued to feature one of the nation’s top defensive lines, helped position the Buckeyes to make a run at not only the Big Ten Championship but also a potential appearance in the Rose Bowl.

However, Ohio State’s path to the Rose Bowl was far from guaranteed. They faced tough competition within the Big Ten, notably from Michigan, their archrivals, who continued to rise as one of the nation’s elite programs under head coach Jim Harbaugh. The annual rivalry game against Michigan would once again be a pivotal point in determining who would represent the Big Ten in the College Football Playoff and the Rose Bowl. In the 2023 season, the showdown was as intense as ever, with Ohio State’s fate hanging in the balance.

Despite the fierce competition from Michigan, Ohio State managed to keep its Rose Bowl hopes alive, and their eventual invitation to the game would showcase Day’s coaching ability to adapt and deliver under pressure, solidifying his place among the elite coaches in college football.

### Dan Lanning and Oregon’s Ascendant Program

On the other side of the equation, Dan Lanning’s Oregon Ducks had emerged as a powerful force in the Pac-12, a conference that had long been known for its explosive offenses and competitive balance. Lanning, who took over as head coach in 2022, had inherited a team that had experienced success under Mario Cristobal but needed a new identity to challenge the powerhouses of the conference. By 2023, Lanning had instilled a rugged, disciplined culture at Oregon while maintaining the program’s trademark offensive firepower.

The Ducks’ offense, led by quarterback Bo Nix, had been one of the most potent in the nation. Nix, a transfer from Auburn, had revitalized his career under Lanning’s guidance, becoming a Heisman contender and leading one of the most explosive offenses in the country. Lanning, who had previously been the defensive coordinator at Georgia, brought a strong defensive philosophy to Oregon, focusing on developing both sides of the ball to compete at the highest level.

Oregon’s path to the Rose Bowl was paved with several strong performances in the regular season, particularly in their big conference matchups. The Pac-12 had become one of the most competitive conferences in college football, with Oregon, Washington, and USC all vying for dominance. As Oregon’s 2023 campaign unfolded, Lanning’s team looked poised to earn a berth in the Rose Bowl, particularly with a high-profile win over rival Washington and other key victories that showcased the Ducks’ depth and ability to compete with the best.

However, Oregon’s ultimate goal was the College Football Playoff, and their Rose Bowl bid was contingent on not only winning the Pac-12 Championship but also positioning themselves as one of the top teams in the nation. Despite some setbacks, such as a tough loss to Washington in the regular season, Lanning’s Ducks continued to battle for a high-ranking position in the playoff picture. Ultimately, the Rose Bowl served as both a consolation prize and a reward for Oregon’s stellar season, positioning them as one of the top programs in college football.

### The Rose Bowl as a Stage for Big Ten and Pac-12 Powerhouses

The 2023 Rose Bowl, featuring teams from the Big Ten and Pac-12, would serve as the ultimate stage for showcasing the strengths of both conferences. Ohio State and Oregon had been the class of their respective leagues all season long, and a matchup between these two programs had the potential to be a classic.

For Ohio State, the Rose Bowl represented an opportunity to continue their tradition of excellence, adding another prestigious bowl victory to their legacy. The Big Ten, long known for its physical play, would face off against Oregon’s more dynamic and fast-paced style of football, reflecting the broader contrasts between the two conferences. While Ohio State was known for its stout defense, power running game, and elite receiving corps, Oregon’s offense, led by Nix, would challenge the Buckeyes’ defense in ways that few teams could.

The game was also significant for both coaches. For Ryan Day, the Rose Bowl would be another high-profile opportunity to solidify his reputation as one of college football’s top coaches, further validating the success of his tenure at Ohio State. For Dan Lanning, a win in the Rose Bowl would continue to build his credibility as a rising star in college football coaching, providing further evidence that his philosophy at Oregon was capable of competing at the highest levels.

### Conclusion

The 2023 Rose Bowl was not just a clash of two teams; it was the culmination of the rivalry, tradition, and competitive spirit that defined both the Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences. Ryan Day and Dan Lanning, two of the brightest coaching minds in the country, would have their teams battle for supremacy in one of college football’s most historic settings. While both teams had hopes of making the College Football Playoff, the Rose Bowl would stand as a testament to their respective programs’ success in 2023. In the end, the game would not only highlight the individual prowess of coaches like Day and Lanning but also serve as a celebration of two of the most exciting and powerful conferences in college football.