What made the 2007 Rose Bowl a not-so-traditional matchup is that Michigan entered as the runner-up of the Big Ten.
The Big Ten champions, Ohio State, were ranked #1 and instead participated in the 2007 BCS National Championship Game.
A moment of silence prior to the national anthem was held in memory of former Michigan center, 38th President of the United States, and 1978 Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal Gerald Ford, who died six days earlier.
George Lucas, Southern California alum, the creator of the Star Wars series of films, and 2007 Tournament of Roses Grand Marshal, flipped the coin.
Southern California deferred after winning the coin toss, and Michigan elected to receive the ball on the kickoff.