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99th Rose Bowl: Stanford 20, Wisconsin 14

PASADENA, Calif. (GMC) -- The football landscape has changed dramatically in the last decade, and although it was wonderful to see the Stanford Cardinal playing in the Orange Bowl two years ago and in the Fiesta Bowl last year, for those of us who are above a certain age and remember a time when the Rose Bowl was the only thing that mattered for Pac-10 schools, Tuesday afternoon was special. It was more than just a BCS bowl game, after all. It was the Granddaddy. It was single greatest game in the history of the sport. It was the Rose Bowl. 

Images from the 2013 Rose Bowl

Entrance to the Stanford tailgate.

Here's Wade Gupta, one of the geniuses behind Toby the Van. If you've never checked out their tailgate, put it on your list of things to do next fall. Incredibly cool.

Greg Herrera, perhaps the most dedicated Stanford fan in the stadium, and he was sitting just two rows in front of me. (The details put this over the top -- note the Axes on the back of his "helmet".) He's worn this getup to two BCS bowl games in a row, and after Tuesday night's victory he looked ahead to the possiblity of next year's national championship. "If we make the championship game, I'll get this thing tattooed on!"

Confetti flies in the moments following the win. I suppose they used red, white, and green because those are Rose Bowl colors, but since it was Stanford vs. Wisconsin -- both red and white -- don't you think they could've loaded their cannons with red and white confetti? Would've been a lot cooler. Still, it was pretty cool. I think I want a confetti cannon for Christmas this year.

And finally, your humble correspondent. Go Mighty Card!