Twenty-two years ago John Cooper finally won a big game for Ohio State.
Then he immediately challenged the Florida Gators to a duel in Pasadena.
His No.4 Buckeyes had just taken down the No.2 and previously undefeated Arizona State Sun Devils in what was still the pinnacle destination for the Big Ten champion. Top-ranked Florida State would face No.3 Florida (a rematch of the game FSU had won a month earlier) the following night in New Orleans.
This was the penultimate season of the Bowl Alliance, which left the Rose Bowl out of the mythical championship mix.