Washington 27 Michigan 20
Yes, this is the era of West success in the Rose Bowl as another new name comes forth to direct the dominance over the Big Ten. Don James of Washington joins USC's John Robinson, UCLA's Terry Donahue, USC's Ted Tollner, Arizona State's John Cooper and USC's Larry Smith in proving the Big Ten invasion of Pasadena now is a perilous one. James' Washington Huskies (only a 7-4 season record) drub Bo Schembechler's 10-1 Michigan 27-20 with the passing arm and running of Warren Moon and the receiving of Bob Gaines plus the toe of Steve Robbins who has two field goals and three conversions. This is a game of long yardage catches with a Moon to Gaines 64 yarder and a Rick Leach to Curt Stephenson 76 yarder for Michigan. Interceptions by Michael Jackson and Nesby Glasgow shut off Michigan's late attempts to rally.