Rose Bowl Hoping to Stay on New Year's Day

© Junfu Han/Detroit Free Press-USA TODAY Network

One of the premiere landmarks of college football is the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. The college football landscape is changing with more teams in the College Football Playoff starting this fall.

Therefore, the question on the minds of many college football fans is this: Will the Rose Bowl maintain its traditional spot on New Year's Day?

The Rose Bowl has been played on New Year's Day since 1926. The only time it is not played on New Year's Day is when January 1s coincides with a Sunday. The Tournament of Roses has a "Never on a Sunday" rule.

With college football's changing landscape and the 12-team playoff format starting this year, the question remains on the table. Fans want to know if the Rose Bowl will remain in its traditional New Year's Day spot in the future.

Rose Bowl Leaders Optimistic

Laura Farber, Rose Bowl management committee chair for the Pasadena Tournament of Roses, is in Indianapolis. She hopes that the Rose Bowl can maintain its rightful place on the college football schedule.

"Because we're the only bowl that has the date as part of our brand in the New Year's 6 bowls, it's really imperative for us and important for us," Farber said.

"We don't know when there will be a long-form agreement. We're hopeful it will be sooner than later, but that depends on when the CFP has everything ready to go."

The other main question is will the Rose Bowl be able to keep its traditional time slot. Farber said that, as of now, "the game would also like to maintain its traditional kickoff time of 2 p.m. PT but will be flexible."

Rose Bowl's Place in Tradition

The Rose Bowl is still looking for its role in an ever-evolving landscape. When the process of the 12-team playoff was brought up, the Tournament of Roses was the last partner within the College Football Playoff to sign on for the expansion.

When the Tournament of Roses finally agreed, former Big Ten Conference Commissioner Kevin Warren understood the organization's position around keeping the game's traditional spot.

"We're partners with the Rose Bowl and I have great respect for the Rose Bowl," Warren said. "Any time you have the length of the relationship we've had, it's one of the cornerstones of college football. I didn't take it at all personal that they were holding anything up. They've been one of the key components of the college football postseason championship, from the BCS to the CFP."

The Rose Bowl has always held a prestigious spot on the college football calendar. It will remain that way with its new role within an expanded playoff. Of couse, that's if both parties agree to keep the game on New Year's Day. Despite the first 2 years of the CFP format, the Rose Bowl will be on New Year's Day.

The Rose Bowl and CFP might be near an agreement on staying on New Year's Day. For now, though, who knows what the future holds? Can both parties be in agreement or will they keep quarreling over a New Year's Day tradition?