Paterno on Rose Bowl sidelines?

The Rose Bowl is shaping up to be a dandy of game and it could have further drama with Joe Paterno's game day whereabouts still in question. Last night, the Penn State coach said that he planned on being on the sidelines after undergoing hip replacement surgery two weeks ago. Paterno spent the last seven games of the season coaching from the press box. It would be understandable if he didn't make it back to the field by Jan. 1.

Penn State and Southern Cal, meanwhile, are gearing up for what should be a highly-anticipated showdown. Both teams could make the argument that they belong in the national championship game. Neither Paterno nor Trojans coach Pete Carroll made that plea last night, but Carroll did say the Rose Bowl could be the "best game in the country." Those aren't neccessarily BCS fighting words, but he's obviously making the claim that the game could rival the national title game between Florida and Oklahoma. That may be overstating things. We shall see.