[Mick]

I'm going to guess it was a mid-century Pac-8 team for two reasons:

1. For a long time, western teams -- only Pac-8 teams -- could go to the Rose Bowl. There weren't many other Bowls out west.
2. There was a time a Pac-8 team couldn't go to consecutive Rose Bowls.

Just playing the odds, I'd say either USC, UCLA or Cal. Or the 1951 USF Dons. Or Michigan State.

[Mick]

I'm going to guess it was a mid-century Pac-8 team for two reasons:

1. For a long time, western teams -- only Pac-8 teams -- could go to the Rose Bowl. There weren't many other Bowls out west.
2. There was a time a Pac-8 team couldn't go to consecutive Rose Bowls.

Just playing the odds, I'd say either USC, UCLA or Cal. Or the 1951 USF Dons. Or Michigan State.