Penn State to meet USC in Rose Bowl

Franklin was diplomatic after missing out on the playoff despite a Big Ten Championship, saying his team was grateful for the opportunity to compete in the Rose Bowl.

Wisconsin’s future isn’t yet certain, but many analysts are predicting a berth in the Cotton Bowl on January 2nd.

Ohio State’s strength of schedule, which included a loss to Oklahoma and was capped by last week’s double-overtime victory over then-No.

The Orange Bowl is December 30.

Also announced are the kickoff times for the College Football Playoff semifinals on December 31: Alabama plays Washington at 3 p.m.

I’m fine with Ohio State being in.

Paul Chryst will find a way to get his team to regroup, he always does.

Up close and personal, actually.

The victor of the Big Ten title game has made the four-team playoff in each of the first two years of the new system.

Petersen met with reporters not long after the CFP pairings were released Sunday, and was asked if he knows Saban.

“I feel like I know him, I see him on TV so much”, Petersen said.

South Alabama 35, New Mexico State 28 – At Mobile, Ala., Xavier Johnson rushed for 154 yards and three touchdowns, both career bests, and South Alabama became bowl eligible with a win over New Mexico State. Five years after the Jerry Sandusky scandal tainted the program and the late Joe Paterno’s legacy, and the ensuing NCAA sanctions seemed to put the Nittany Lions on the fast track to nowhere, they are Big Ten champs and look like a real national championship contender.

Clemson finished No. 3 in the AP Top 25, a spot behind Ohio State (11-1).

This play did not lose the game for Wisconsin, but rather, started the pendulum swinging permanently toward Penn State in an uncharacteristically sloppy game on the defensive side of the ball.

The loss certainly stings for the players, as their slim playoff hopes disappeared, but many were quick to shift focus to the positives. So it means nothing, but I’m rewarding Penn State in my Associated Press college football poll ballot this week.

– Penn State jumped three spots by winning the Big Ten title game.

The selection committee protocol states that championships won and head-to-head results should be used by the committee to separate teams that have similar resumes. The Big Ten is the best conference in the country, and Penn State won it.

Alabama, Washington and Clemson all took care of their business — though the Tigers had to work much harder than the other two — and have to be feeling good about hearing their names called when the semifinals are set.

While the Nittany Lions will be forced to play the hand they’re dealt by the committee, they’ve held up their end of the bargain winning the conference championship and carrying an 11-2 record into whatever bowl they get chosen for.

With the exception of Alabama, every team is flawed.

As for Ohio State, that’s where things get sticky.

“And (Penn State) came right down and scored right before the half to make it 28-14”.

– Which Atlantic Coast Conference team will play in the Orange Bowl, likely against No. 6 MI?

Championship weekend ended with a couple wild games, but mostly the field of four fell into place. The Crimson Tide may do something no team has managed to do since the 19th century. “It’s time to stop talking about our 2-2 start, and let’s start talking about the last nine games”.

A two-time national champion at Florida, he won another title with Ohio State after the 2014 season and the Buckeyes have won at least 11 games every season, including a flawless 12-0 record in 2012.

Now, the Crimson Tide can expect a return trip to Atlanta for the College Football Playoff.

He said Clemson’s skill set on offense is “over top” and that the Tigers and Alabama are probably the top two teams when it comes to National Football League prospects.

The CFP committee had it relatively easy this year.

Other bowls. Pretty sure the top four are set with Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson and Washington for the College Football Playoff, but where Penn State and MI end up will worth noting (will the Nittany Lions upend the Buckeyes or Huskies somehow?), along with the other bowl matchups.

On Friday, the Bahamas Bowl revealed Eastern Michigan (7-5) and Old Dominion (9-3) are this year’s matchup there.

TEMPLE 34, NO. 20 NAVY 10 – At Annapolis, Md., Phillip Walker threw two touchdown passes, Temple stuffed Navy’s running game and the Owls claimed their first American Athletic Conference title.