OSU’s playoff fate in committee’s hands now

Thanks to Ohio State’s win over Michigan, No. 7 Penn State clinched a share of the East Division title and a spot in next week’s conference championship game against Wisconsin by routing Michigan State in front of 97,418 at Beaver Stadium.

Penn State should be able to deal with this type of offense with linebackers Brandon Bell and Jason Cabinda available.

He dodged the question Monday when asked if he’d rather play for a Big Ten crown or have the extra week to rest up for the playoffs.

The Oklahoma-Oklahoma State victor vs. the Big Ten Champ: Entering Saturday, both Big Ten teams are ranked ahead of both Big 12 teams, suggesting the only way the Big 12 gets in is with an OSU win over Michigan Saturday and a Colorado win over Washington next week – then hoping the committee values their win more than two Colorado victories. With absolutely nothing to lose, the Spartans are going to play their best game of the season, or so they hope. Although fans figured out the result after following along with the TV on the ESPN sideline camera, the score was never announced over the loudspeaker – even after the Ohio State win.

Under Tressel during the BCS era, the Buckeyes won the 2002 national championship and played for it in 2006 and 2007 – all three years without the burden of having to play in a league title game.

He told me what happened.”I said, “Oh, OK.’ I didn’t have any thoughts at that point”. “Obviously, there’s still work that needs to be done”.

As for Michigan State, their season ends and it’s now time for them to prepare for next season. But after a 2-0 start to the season, coach Mark Dantonio’s team lost seven straight games, looking hamstrung after getting overwhelmed at home by Wisconsin, 30-6, on September 24.

The Spartans’ failure to finish drives with touchdowns came back to bite them in the second half, as Penn State scored touchdowns on two conseutive drives to take control of the game.

BARKLEY A GO: Penn State running back Saquon Barkley, who was knocked from the Rutgers game after a helmet-to-helmet hit, spoke at length with reporters on Tuesday and will play after testing negative for a concussion.

After all, it came with Penn State’s first team offense on the field, with just 3:40 left in the game, and it capped a drive on which quarterback Trace McSorley threw four times in as many plays. “It’s been special, that connection and bond they have for one another”. It wasn’t that I wasn’t paying attention; I was so excited in the moment and she smiled and I didn’t need to say anything and she didn’t need to say anything.

So far, none of the eight teams picked to play in the first two playoffs failed to win its conference championship, but the Buckeyes could break that trend.

“I think this is the beginning of Penn State as a new chapter”.

The first matchup to go to overtime in the 113-game history of the rivalry likely eliminated MI (10-2, 7-2, No. 3 CFP) from the playoff race and could have locked up a spot for the Buckeyes. But on second-and-7 from the Nittany Lions’ 21, Terry kept the ball on an option run around the right side. Wisconsin had wrapped up the Big Ten West and a trip to next week’s league title game after Nebraska lost to Iowa on Friday night. “We wanted to be the best we can be”. The drive began with a 17-yard reception by RJ Shelton and helped pave the way for MSU to get into the red zone for the fourth time. Finally, against GW on Saturday, and against Georgia Tech next week, we’ll get to see Penn State go up against teams on their same level. As long as we win, I’ll be happy’.