The 1990 Rose Bowl was a big time game between the winners of the Big Ten and the Pac-10. It was a rematch of the previous year’s contest, one in which the Michigan Wolverines bested USC football, 22-14.
The Trojans were looking for some payback.
Michigan arrived in Pasadena ranked No. 3 in both polls with a 10-1 record. They also had an outside chance at a National Championship if they won the game and got some help from other bowl outcomes.
The Trojans were having a very good year at 8-2-1 and were ranked No.