Column: The return of Penn State?

For college football fans across the country, it’s that time of year again.  A time where football conversations about who deserves a shot of playing in the College Football Playoff turn into heated discussions and even arguments. To keep the fires of those discussions stoked heading into “Championship Saturday,” I’m going to tell you WHY, not IF, not could, But why Penn State deserves to be in the final four over Thee Ohio State University. 
Last Saturday, everyone and anyone who is a fan of college football or even the Big Ten Conference had their eyes locked on one game. Or, should I say “The Game.” A game where a Michigan win, would seal their spot to Indianapolis for the Big Ten Championship game. However, a Michigan loss would dash their hopes and in exchange, strengthen another team’s resume and conference title hopes. Ohio State received neither of those. That honor, if you will, was bestowed upon Happy Valley. 
Everyone fails to realize that Ohio State, who at the time was No. 2 in the polls- lost to Penn State 24-21 on Oct. 22. The only conference loss the Nittany Lions have received came back on Sept. 24 when they lost to the Wolverines 49-10. 
Now, let me stop you before you give up reading. I already know what many of you may think. “Ohio State may have lost to Penn State, but they beat Michigan who destroyed-for lack of a better word- Penn State.” Or the “Well, the Buckeyes have only one loss, Penn State has two.”
Both thoughts, although correct, are extremely off from what the committee protocol, which was adopted in 2012 states. 
According to the third paragraph in the Committee’s protocol, they state “We believe that a committee of experts properly instructed (based on beliefs that the regular season is unique and must be preserved; and that championships won on the field and strength of schedule are important values that must be incorporated into the selection process) has very strong support throughout the college football community.”
They also state that has a part of the guidelines, that Strength of schedule, head-to-head competition and championships won must be specifically applied as tie-breakers between teams that look similar. 
So, with that being the case, let’s look at some notable games from each team’s season. Ohio State easily gets the upper hand in the strength of schedule, largely due to the fact that they faced and beat four ranked teams (No. 14 Oklahoma, No.8 Wisconsin (OT), No. 10 Nebraska, No. 3 Michigan (2OT). Penn State on the other hand, only faced two ranked schools, that being Michigan and the Buckeyes. However, their only other loss came to Pitt-who thanks to game-winning field goal- upset then No. 2 Clemson. 
HOWEVER, the biggest key in all of this is the fact that Penn State defeated Ohio State 24-21 nearly a month ago. That one loss is what possibly could and should keep the Buckeyes out of the final four if the Nittany Lions win this coming Saturday against the Badgers. Another strong case for Nittany Lion faithful is that they are playing great football right now. We already talked about Michigan's loss to Iowa. Well, the Lions, the No.7 team in the country at the time, weren't asleep behind the wheel, rolling the Hawkeyes to a 41-14 win. Then there is the Michigan State game. Ohio State struggled all afternoon, but managed to break up a two-point conversion attempt to salvage a 17-16 win. Penn State again rolled them, 45-12. 
The final game for the Lions before bowl season will have all the ramifications of whether or not we will be blessed to see Penn State in a playoff. That game is the Big Ten Championship game against Wisconsin. Now, Wisconsin has losses to both Michigan (14-7) and Ohio State (30-23) this season. If the Nittany Lions, led by quarterback Trace McSorely and a sure-fire NFL talent in running back Saquon Barkley, managed to get off to a another fast start that they've managed to do this season half of the season, T.J. Watt and the Badgers defense may have the same fate as Iowa, Michigan State and other notable Big Ten squads to run into Penn State.
If Barkley and the Lions do win, it’s hard to keep a conference champion out of the national championship bid, especially a team that upset one of the top four schools in the country. 
While championships won section of the criteria won’t be known until Saturday, It’s pretty simple to see the argument already developing for the Nittany Lions and their return to glory. I’m notably a Hawkeye fan. I personally have no emotional attachment to this game. 
However, as a fan of college football, I find the story of Penn State too good not to be accepted into the playoff if they ultimately win the conference. Only time will tell, but I will say this... If Ohio State or even Michigan for that matter are voted into the playoff over the Nittany Lions (if they win the conference), then there is really no hope for this “committee” and we will officially be back to the problems we faced with the BCS system. Reason being is that it will show the incompetence of the committee to distinguish teams that are rightfully deserving of playing in a playoff created for the BEST teams in the country. 
CFB Playoff predictions
I will keep this simple, as all roads to a national title will go through Alabama. Yes folks, for those who do not watch the SEC, they are THAT good. I don’t see them losing the Florida and the dumpster fire that is any team coming out of the SEC East.
 At No. 2, I will put Clemson, if they managed to win the ACC. It would be a return for vengeance for quarterback Deshuan Watson and Coach Sweeney, who lost to the Crimson Tide in the national title game last season. At No. 3, I love Washington. if Washington defeats Colorado for the PAC 12 title, it’s hard to not have them in. A perennial power all season long with a quarterback in Jake Browning who is silently building a strong Heisman resume managed to have one lone hiccup against the Trojans just a few weeks back.
No. 4 would be Penn State with a conference championship. However, if Wisconsin and Colorado both pull upsets, I would then have Ohio State at No.3 and Colorado at No.4. So, why Penn State if they win, but not Wisconsin?
Wisconsin has two losses, both of them-while close- were both to Michigan and Ohio State. Colorado on the other hand, would be because, No. 1 they would have won the PAC 12, and No.2, it would REALLY ruffle the feathers of Southern Cal fans who believe that a three-loss Trojan team deserve to be in after a strong finish to the season.
No matter how it plays out, who would have thought that the Colorado Buffalos, Washington Huskies and Penn State Nittany Lions would even be in a conference championship and generating a legitmate playoff conversation in 2016. Washington? Possibly, they have been strong for a while and everyone knows how could you can be in college with a efficient quarterback. Right Florida? (Chris Leak says thanks). Colorado? If you even thought they would have a winning season, go buy a lottery ticket, because you may not get luckier in your lifetime. They have been amazing to watch this season. I mean, no shades of Kordell Stewart, but nevertheless fun. College football has been made great again and we don’t have the NCAA to thank for it. 
 
Josh is the Sports Editor for the Steele County Times, an award winning newspaper in Southern Minnesota. 
Follow Josh on Twitter: JZimmer_Sports

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